Mahama’s gov’t has no business financing Hajj Village – Lawyer cautions

A private legal practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, has cautioned President John Dramani Mahama to tread cautiously in his involvement of the State in religious practices in the country.

He explained that the “government has no business whatsoever financing” the construction of the Hajj Village because doing so would amount to the State’s involvement in religious practices.

In a Facebook post on March 2, 2025, the lawyer said President Mahama should not misconstrue his “overwhelming endorsement” at the 2024 Presidential election as a blank cheque to do “whatever he wants.”

President Mahama cut the sod for the construction of a permanent Hajj Village in Accra to facilitate a smooth pilgrimage on February 28, 2025.

The Hajj Village, designed as a smaller version of Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal 3, will serve as a central processing point for pilgrims and is fitted with many facilities.

The president revealed that the facilities include a swimming pool, a mosque, an ablution area, accommodation, a health centre, a market, catering services, immigration desks, and check-in counters.

But lawyer Brako-Powers said the government has no business involving the State in the Hajj Village development.

“[President] John Mahama’s government has no business whatsoever financing the Hajj Village. The State must not concern itself with any religious practice,” he said.

He said Ghanaians “decried [President] Nana Akufo-Addo’s involvement of the State in the National Cathedral” and should not be quiet this time around.

Mr Brako-Powers cautioned President Mahama not to work or take any decision to the detriment of Ghanaians.

 

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