Hajj pilgrims stranded at Kotoka Airport

Accra, Feb. 22, GNA- Hajj pilgrims who returned from Mecca about a week ago and have not received their luggage are still waiting at the Kotoka International Airport with the hope that Egypt Air would soon deliver their luggage.

The pilgrims who number over 1000 and come from various parts of the country are mainly from Wenchi in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Dagomba and Mamprusi areas in the Northern Region. They sleep at the meters and greeters point at the airport.


The effected persons take their bath around a tap at the airport car park and attend to natures call close to the airport leaving a stench.


A number of pilgrims who spoke to the Ghana News Agency expressed their displeasure at the Hajj Board for not impressing upon officials of Egypt Air to send them their luggage, and had threatened not to leave the airport premises until they have their luggage.


Baba Musah, a pilgrim from Wenchi said that he would stay at the airport until he received his luggage, saying, "I cannot afford to go to Wenchi and come back.. It will be too expensive."

Muhamed Banda also from Wenchi said since he had only one attire which was the one he was wearing, he had never had his bath throughout the seven days he was awaiting his luggage.


Aisha Mahama also a pilgrim warned that any luggage that went missing would have to be duly accounted for.


The pilgrims complained that they were running out of food and money, while others said that they had already resorted to begging for food and money in order to survive since they have run out of those resources.