The Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the deaths of seven Ghanaian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The deceased include five women and two men.
Although their identities were not disclosed, the Hajj Board has informed the affected families in Ghana and extended condolences on behalf of the nation.
Chairman of the Hajj Board, Alhaji Collins Dauda, addressed the development in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, June 7, describing the deaths as deeply unfortunate.
“Unfortunately, for the 2025 pilgrimage, we have lost seven of our compatriots. Deaths are painful, but death will come when it has to come. We express our deepest condolences to the families back in Ghana who have been affected in this case,” he said.
Alhaji Dauda added that the Board would visit the bereaved families in Ghana at an appropriate time to offer support.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, all seven pilgrims were buried in Saudi Arabia, as is customary for those who pass away during the pilgrimage.
More than 6,000 Ghanaian pilgrims travelled to Mecca in 2025, joining over two million Muslims from across the globe. The Hajj is renowned for its physically demanding rituals, often carried out under extreme temperatures. Reports from Mecca this year indicated heat levels exceeding 48°C, posing serious health risks—especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Despite the severe weather, this year’s death toll reflects significant progress. In 2024, 17 Ghanaian pilgrims died during Hajj, compared to seven this year—a reduction of nearly 59%.
Alhaji Dauda attributed the decline to enhanced health and safety measures implemented in partnership with Saudi authorities. These included pre-departure medical screenings, the deployment of dedicated Ghanaian medical teams, and improved emergency response systems.
Additional steps to prevent heatstroke—such as the provision of hydration points and health advisories—were also introduced to protect pilgrims.
The Ghana Hajj Board reaffirmed its commitment to further improving the safety and well-being of all Ghanaian pilgrims and pledged to continuously review its systems to align with international standards for managing large-scale events under challenging conditions.
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