The Ghana Hajj Taskforce has confirmed the death of 7 Ghanaian pilgrims in Mecca during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The deceased persons include five women and two men.
In line with Islamic principles, all seven deceased individuals have since been buried in Saudi Arabia, a standard practice for pilgrims who pass away during the Hajj.
"Unfortunately, for the 2025 pilgrimage, we have lost seven of our compatriots. Deaths are painful, but death will come when it has to come and therefore, regrettably, as the case is, we take the opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families back in Ghana who have been affected in this case,” Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Alhaji Collins Dauda, stated.
Approximately 6000 pilgrims from Ghana travelled to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 2025 Hajj.
The Hajj, a physically demanding spiritual journey, is often conducted under extreme weather conditions.
Reports from Mecca this year indicated scorching temperatures, frequently exceeding 48°C during the peak ritual days, posing significant health risks to pilgrims, especially the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.
Despite these challenging circumstances, the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage has seen a remarkable reduction in Ghanaian fatalities compared to previous years.
Alhaji Dauda highlighted that the current figure of seven deaths represents a drastic decline from the 17 reported in the 2024 pilgrimage, marking an impressive ~59% reduction in fatalities.
The Hajj Board chairman attributed this improved safety record to robust protocols implemented in close collaboration with Saudi authorities.