Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Hon. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has addressed misconceptions surrounding the Hajj Village project, clarifying its purpose and funding model.
He emphasized that the facility is an investment by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and is not intended to serve as a place of worship for Muslims.
The MP explained that the Hajj Village is an extension of the airport facilities and is specifically designed to assist with the smooth processing of Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca.
“The Hajj Village is a facility/extended facility owned by the Ghana Airport Company and will be used exclusively for the departure and arrival halls and other travel routine activities for our Muslims.”
Hon. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
He clarified that the facility is not a mosque or a spiritual center but a practical solution aimed at streamlining the journey for pilgrims.
The structure will help minimize delays and ensure a more convenient travel experience for Ghanaian Muslims embarking on their religious pilgrimage.
Dafeamekpor also stressed that services at the Hajj Village would not be free, contrary to some misconceptions. “The pilgrims will pay for every service rendered to them, just as it is done at other terminals at the airport,” he noted.
He further elaborated that the facility will include a designated area where travelers can pray while waiting for their flights.
This addition is particularly important for Muslim pilgrims, who often spend several hours at the airport before departure.
Given that their pre-departure procedures may require them to be at the airport for six to eight hours, having a dedicated prayer space ensures they can fulfill their religious obligations without inconvenience.
Providing such a facility also helps prevent unnecessary pressure on airport staff, as it offers a structured and accessible space for worship.
Hajj Village and National Cathedral Are Not the Same
Furthermore, Hon. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor strongly refuted comparisons between the Hajj Village project and the National Cathedral, calling such arguments baseless and misleading.
He highlighted that unlike the National Cathedral, which relied heavily on state funds and faced numerous controversies regarding financial accountability, the Hajj Village is purely an investment project by the Ghana Airports Company.
The objective is for the facility to generate revenue over time and eventually recover the investment. “The sudden comparison of the Hajj Village project with the botched National Cathedral is completely contrived and baseless.”
According to him, the Hajj Village is part of GACL’s broader strategy to enhance its infrastructure and service delivery while ensuring that all travelers, regardless of religious affiliation, receive necessary support during their journeys.
“The Hajj Village project is an investment carried on by the Ghana Airport Company. They will recoup their investment, just as they have done with the flagship Terminal 3 project.”
Hon. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor
Dafeamekpor’s clarification comes in response to growing concerns and misinformation about the Hajj Village project.
Some critics have questioned why such a facility is being constructed when the National Cathedral, a project that was supposed to serve the Christian community, has stalled due to financial and management issues.
However, the MP maintained that the two projects are fundamentally different in purpose, funding, and execution.
While the National Cathedral was initiated as a government-backed religious structure, the Hajj Village is an airport extension designed for travel facilitation and will operate on a commercial basis.
He urged the public to seek accurate information before drawing conclusions, emphasizing that investments in infrastructure, whether for religious or practical purposes, should be evaluated on their own merits.
The debate surrounding the Hajj Village underscores the broader discourse on government projects, religious inclusivity, and financial accountability in Ghana.
As construction progresses, stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure that the facility serves its intended purpose efficiently and transparently.
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