In a move that has raised eyebrows, President John Dramani Mahama is set to cut the sod for the second time for the construction of a new Hajj Village Complex, a project that was initiated by the previous Akufo-Addo government.
The project, which is already ongoing, has been in the works since 2024, with the contract awarded to contractor Mawums.
According to documents, the project was started towards the end of last year, and works have been progressing steadily.
The sod-cutting ceremony, scheduled for today, February 28, 2025, has sparked concerns about the government’s intentions and the politicization of a project that was initiated by the previous administration.
The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana has revealed that the project was conceived in 2017 or 2018, during the Akufo-Addo government, with the then Minister for Aviation, Kofi Adda, initiating it.
The final push came from Kwaku Asiamah, former Minister for Transport.
The project involves the construction of a modern multi-purpose Hajj facility at a new site opposite the Action Chapel, in exchange for land at Airport City 2.
All procurement processes were followed, and PPA approval was obtained.
The contract was signed in the latter part of 2024, and works have been ongoing since then.
It is unclear why President Mahama is cutting the sod again for a project that is already underway.
He is expected to be joined by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu, who will preside over the official sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a state-of-the-art Hajj Village Complex.
The move has been described as a desperate attempt to claim credit for a project that was initiated by the previous government.
The opposition NPP has accused the Mahama government of trying to deceive Ghanaians by claiming credit for projects initiated by the previous government.
They have called on the government to come clean and acknowledge the role of the previous government in initiating the project.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
