Mr James Agalga, the Board Chairman, who led the inspection, said the Board was “very excited” and encouraged by the quality of work executed so far.
He expressed confidence that the facility would be completed within the projected timelines despite being slightly behind schedule.
The Board Chair, who is also Member of Parliament for Builsa North, said the Hajj village was designed not only to improve facilities for Muslim pilgrims but also to ensure year-round commercial viability.
Mr Agalga lauded President John Dramani Mahama for not abandoning the project, which was initiated by the previous administration.
“The constitution enjoins us to treat government as a continuum. It’s sad that in the past, very wonderful projects initiated were abandoned.”
“But this government has made it very clear that they will not abandon projects started by the previous government, and especially when those projects sit well with overall government policy.”
“President Mahama has the Muslim fraternity at heart, which is why he ensured that this particular project was never abandoned,” he said.
The edifice would comprise a terminal building, residential and hostel facilities, a 300-capacity mosque, clinic, conference and commercial spaces, recreational areas, parking bays and access roads.
The Board Chair explained that the project was being executed through a land-swap arrangement, adding that GACL was not spending public funds on the development.
He said the commercial components of the facility would generate revenue for the company to support other airport infrastructure projects.
Mr Agalga commended the contractor for the progress made, adding that the Board would brief the sector minister and, by extension, the President, on the progress of work.
The Reverend Solomon Abijah, Director of Projects, Engineering and Construction at Mawums Limited, contractor of the project, confirmed that work had progressed steadily since sod-cutting in February 2025.
He said the residential block was about 60 per cent complete, the terminal building 55 per cent, and the mosque about 50 per cent complete, with other structures averaging similar levels of progress.
Rev. Abijah explained that although the project experienced initial delays due to master plan approval discussions, the company was working day and night to accelerate progress.
He assured that the delay would not result in additional cost implications and that a revised programme would be submitted to align with the completion target.
“We are confident that by the end of this year, the Hajj Village will be ready for use, and the next Hajj pilgrimage will depart from this new site,” he said.
Other members of the Board are:
Mr Attah Issah – MP for Sagnarigu Constituency, Mr William Ntebe Ayo – MP for Tatale-Sanguli Constituency, Mr Mark William Attipoe, Ministry of Transport, Mr Kwabena Amponsah Dapaah – Fellow, Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Ms Diana Amakie Ashong – Business Executive, Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare – Managing Director, GACL, Air Commodore Elvis King Arneson Representative, Ghana Air Force and Mr Joseph Enimil-Armah.
GNA
