The Ghana Hajj Taskforce has confirmed the death of two Ghanaian pilgrims in Mecca during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Approximately 6000 pilgrims from Ghana travelled to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 2025 Hajj.

In addition to the reported deaths, the Taskforce also disclosed that five individuals were repatriated due to visa-related issues.

READ ALSO: 2025 Hajj: First Batch of Ghanaian Pilgrims Touch Down in Jeddah

Speaking to Citi News, the Head of Corporate Affairs at the Hajj Taskforce, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, clarified that the affected pilgrims were not deported in the criminal sense of the term.

He assured the public that efforts are underway to resolve the visa issues and facilitate the return of the affected pilgrims to Mecca.

“Some said they were deported, but we choose to use the word ‘repatriated.’ Deportation connotes some criminality, but these people who have returned have not committed any crime. It was an error in the issuance of their visa.

“Some attempts to realign the visas resulted in some unfortunate mistakes where their visas were withdrawn. I can assure you that we are making every effort to get them to go back,” he said.

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President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep concern over the growing trend of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.

His comments echo warnings from the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), which recently decried the erosion of discipline in schools. NAGRAT has given the government an ultimatum to address the situation by the end of the month or face protective action from teachers against violent students.

Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, May 23, 2025, President Mahama emphasized the need for collective action to reverse the trend.

READ ALSO: Catholic Bishops urge President Mahama to declare galamsey state of emergency

“There is a breakdown of values and morals, and that is creating some issues in our schools. There have been incidents where you find students with guns in our public schools. There is also the student who almost lost her eyesight because a student fired a gun,” he said.

The President also questioned how issues such as curriculum design, moral education, student discipline, and teacher absenteeism were being addressed.

“So, what do we do about our curriculum, moral education, discipline, and teacher absenteeism? The inspectorate division of the GES cannot be everywhere at the same time to make sure that teachers are in school,” he noted.

Mahama called for closer cooperation between the Ghana Education Service and faith-based institutions to ensure accountability and enhance monitoring.

“So, how can we collaborate with the churches and find out whether the teachers who have been posted to these schools are actually going to schools and teaching? I think collaboration will help solve the issue,” he added.

On a separate issue, President Mahama described the fight against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, as a deeply complex challenge, exacerbated by the country’s current economic difficulties and high youth unemployment.

He observed that limited job opportunities have led many unskilled youth to engage in illegal mining activities to survive.

President Mahama also drew a distinction between galamsey and legitimate small-scale mining, stating, “Small-scale mining, when properly regulated, is not illegal.”

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The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has cautioned transport stations and branches against defying the newly implemented 15% fare reduction, emphasising that sanctions will be imposed on those who fail to comply.

General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, acknowledged that some operators in the Ashanti Region had cited late communication as a reason for their delay in adjusting fares.

READ ALSO: GPRTU To Reduce Transport Fares By 15% Effective May 25

However, he assured that measures have been put in place to ensure full compliance.

“The chairman has forwarded another press release and made it known that by tomorrow, if stations or branches working under us don’t comply with the directives, sanctions will be meted out to those terminals,” Abulbire stated on the Channel One Newsroom on Saturday May 24.

READ ALSO: GPRTU and GRTCC Announce New Transport Fare Chart Following 15% Reduction, Effective May 24

He further stressed that one of the most effective penalties would be preventing non-compliant drivers from loading passengers.

“A particular punishment drivers do not like is to seize him or stop him from loading. So we think that is what we need to do,” he added.

READ ALSO: A/R: Drivers defy GPRTU fare reduction directive, cite high operating costs

The fare reduction directive was introduced in response to declining fuel prices, with authorities expecting transport operators to adjust accordingly.

While some have adhered to the new pricing structure, others have resisted, citing operational costs.

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