President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the National Hajj Board not to increase the fare for Ghanaian pilgrims who would be traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year for the annual Muslim pilgrimage.

The directive comes as Saudi authorities have imposed a levy on repeat pilgrims and also slapped a five per cent Value Added Tax on all services and products, excluding food items and medical drugs.

The move will result in an increase in the cost of the hajj, but the Nana-Addo-led government has decided to maintain the same fare pilgrims paid for last year’s hajj, which was about $3,450.

Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia disclosed this at the weekend during at an event organised by the Tijaniyya Muslims in Kumasi to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed