The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has cautioned prospective pilgrims and accredited Hajj agents not to accept or process payments from Ghanaian nationals who were banned by Saudi authorities during the 2025 Hajj.
The warning follows a directive from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which suspended and barred thousands of unregistered pilgrims in 2025. More than 269,000 people without valid Hajj permits were stopped from entering Mecca, including some Ghanaians who attempted to perform the pilgrimage with short-term or inappropriate visas.
Those affected have been banned from entering Saudi Arabia for about five years.
PAOG says the sanctions mean that these individuals are not eligible to register or pay for Hajj 2026, as no visas will be issued to them under any circumstances.
In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, PAOG noted that Saudi Arabia has also tightened regulations on accommodation during the Hajj period. According to the statement, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has prohibited all facilities in Mecca from hosting anyone without a valid Hajj permit or a work or residency permit.
“These measures are meant to improve safety, reduce congestion and maintain order during the pilgrimage,” Mr Lamptey said.
PAOG stressed that payments taken from banned individuals will lead to complications and cannot be refunded.
“We strongly advise all accredited Hajj agents and prospective pilgrims to avoid accepting money from anyone who has been banned by the Saudi authorities,” the statement said. “There will be no refunds for such payments, and the affected individuals will not receive visas.”
PAOG urged the public to adhere strictly to official guidelines to avoid financial loss and disappointment ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
