By Hannah Abugri.
Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheik I.C Quaye has denied reports that there is a special dispensation of the COVID-19 vaccine exclusively for Ghanaian Muslims ahead of the annual pilgrimage.
He said this at a media briefing in Accra.
Sheikh I. C. Quaye urged all Ghanaians regardless of their religious beliefs to go for the jab when the vaccine is available in their communities, and not rush for it when it is in short supply.
The Hajj Board said it had sighted reports detailing the government’s expectation to take delivery of about 18.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in the course of the 3rd quarter of this year. These vaccines are expected from the United States, United Kingdom, African Union and other donor agencies.
The Hajj Board has therefore commended the government for the vaccination exercises so far.
Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Sheik I.C Quaye called on all Ghanaians, especially Muslims to get vaccinated, and to ‘’disregard information claiming government has a special dispensation of the vaccine for prospective Muslim pilgrims’’.
Sheik I.C Quaye noted that the Saudi Government has given positive indication that international pilgrims will be allowed into its territory next year, adding that all would-be pilgrims are required to receive the full doses of the vaccine before embarking on the Hajj.
He indicated that the board endorses the new directives for obtaining Visa to perform Hajj and Umrah in Mecca which emphasize vaccination as a key requirement.
Sheik I.C Quaye charged Ghanaians to play their collective role by joining the global effort to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. This they could do through an active participation in the vaccination.
