Hajj Village Not Funded By Taxpayers- Govt
The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified that taxpayers are not funding the construction of the controversial Hajj Village.
In a Facebook post, the government official said the project is being financed by the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL).
“The Hajj Village is primarily an Airport Terminal Building for check-in and pilgrim facilitation owned and being built by the Ghana Airport Company. Not a pesewa of taxpayers’ money involved.”
On February 28, President John Dramani Mahama cut sod for the construction of a permanent new Hajj Village to serve as a central processing point for pilgrims to complete all pre-departure formalities.
The facility- which was started by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the leadership of the former Minister for Transport, Hon. Kweku Asiamah- will encompass a mosque, an ablution area, accommodation, a health centre, a market, catering services, immigration desks, and check-in counters.
The project has come under public scrutiny as some have questioned the source of funding and its significance. Others have likened it to the National Cathedral project of the former government.
Among the critics is Mussa Dankwa, the Executive Director and Head of Global Research at Global InfoAnalytics.
In a Facebook post, he said, “My questions still remain. What is the justification and what options were considered and discounted and for what reasons? What will be the use of the village after Hajj Ghana Airports Company Limited? These are genuine project appraisal questions I believe the GCAA should answer.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
