The Minister of State for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu has revealed that the Hajj Village project by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is purely a commercial project.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the Ghana Airports Company Limited realized that Hajj is an annual ritual where thousands of people pass through their airport, so they decided to build it to charge some fees.
Kwakye Ofosu asserted that the Hajj Village project is steered by business considerations rather than government support.
President John Dramani Mahama cut sod for the construction of a new Hajj Village.
The landmark project aimed at improving facilities for Ghanaian pilgrims embarking on the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
A vision that began under the late President John Evans Atta Mills. The initiative continues the commitment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to enhancing the welfare of Muslim pilgrims.
However, there have been misconceptions regarding the funding and purpose of the Hajj Village project.
Many Ghanaians have compared the project to former President Akufo-Addo’s infamous National Cathedral project.
Speaking in an interview on CITI News Felix Kwakye Ofosu once again dismissed claims public funds were being used to support the facility.
He stated, “The Hajj Village is purely a commercial project. The Ghana Airports Company Limited saw that they have a certain clientele, so they are tailoring services to meet that clientele with the ultimate objective of making a profit and generating dividends for their shareholder, which is the government.”
Felix Kwakye further detailed how the GACL invested $276 million to build the Terminal 3.
The minister added, “If you go to Terminal 3, GACL invested $276 million because the government of Ghana asked them to keep all their IGF to build their balance sheet to attract funding from various financial institutions”.
Again, in Terminal 3, there is a place they call VIP, which is an exclusive lounge for upper-class members of society who pay an arm and a leg to access that service”, he asserted.
Felix Kwakye detailed, “They created that niche market to generate revenue. So, they realized that this is an annual ritual where thousands of people pass through their airport, and they should build it [the village] to charge some fees”.
Meanwhile, Kwame A Plus, the member of parliament for Gomoa Central has boldly stated he strongly disagrees with the controversial Hajj Village project.
According to Kwame A Plus, he strongly disagrees with the controversial Hajj Village project at a time when Agenda 111 hospitals are near completion and will provide essential healthcare services to millions.
