Two stranded Hajj pilgrims die

The woes of stranded Muslim pilgrims in Accra has taken a turn for the worst with two reported dead and as many as 50 taken ill. A medical team has been called in to provide medical attention for the sick pilgrims at the Aviation Social Center at the Kotoka International Airport. The pilgrims have been waiting for close to a week for a flight to Mecca. Joy News has learnt that one of the two dead pilgrims is a 61-year-old Abiba Donkor, who reportedly died on Tuesday at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital shortly after she was rushed there from Accra while the second pilgrim reportedly died Wednesday morning in Accra. The conditions under which the pilgrims are living at the Cargo Village has been the subject of intense criticism by key members of the Parliamentary Muslim caucus. Meanwhile, the acting Chairman of the Muslim caucus, Abubakari Sumani has told Joy News the pilgrims will have some reprieve soon. “We’ve been informed, I have no way of cross-checking but we’ve been informed that our ambassador in Saudi Arabia has made some arrangement to get the Saudi Airline to bring two aircraft and he has also made an arrangement for our landing day to be extended to Sunday instead of Friday afternoon as it ought to be. “So it means Ghana has been given a special dispensation to bring in our pilgrims. That is a very special dispensation. I have also been informed that he has paid the required deposit in Saudi Arabia in dollars to enable the flights to begin and my information also is that the flight will start tomorrow. I have also been informed that the President has commandeered the Ghana international Airlines to assist the airline that is coming from Saudi Arabia to Jeddah.” The acting Chairman said however that he had been informed of one death (that of the elderly woman) and was not aware of a second death. The Minister of Interior, Kwamena Bartels, was late Wednesday evening awaiting confirmation of any special dispensation for Ghanaian pilgrims and if any flights had been arranged at all.