Story: Flying Officer Gaddiel Etwire
Pictures: Corporal Kyereme Evans

Annual Hajj operations have commenced at the Tamale International Airport, marking the beginning of a major national assignment aimed at facilitating the spiritual pilgrimage of thousands of Ghanaian Muslims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In collaboration with Air Force Base Tamale and other stakeholders, the National Hajj Board officially began this year’s operations on Friday, 1 May 2026, with the successful departure of the first batch of pilgrims to the holy city of Medina.

This year’s Hajj operations have been structured into two phases. The outbound phase, scheduled from 1 to 8 May 2026, is dedicated to transporting pilgrims from Ghana to Saudi Arabia, while the inbound phase, slated for 3 to 14 June 2026, will focus on the safe return of pilgrims to Ghana.

Amid the prevailing security situation in the region, the Ghana Armed Forces has maintained a strong security presence throughout the operations. Air Force Base Tamale, in collaboration with 6 Infantry Battalion and 69 Airborne Force, continues to play a key role in securing the Hajj Village and other strategic areas within the airport enclave to ensure a safe and orderly exercise. Armed security personnel have also been deployed to support access control, crowd management and overall operational security throughout the period.

Beyond security, Air Force Base Tamale continues to provide critical logistical and operational support towards the success of the exercise. In collaboration with Aviance Ghana, the Base supports pre-flight activities, facilitates the movement of aircrew and ground personnel, and assists in the safe handling and storage of Zamzam (holy water) for returning pilgrims.

Following the successful airlift of the initial 430 pilgrims on the first day of operations, officials anticipate that more than 3,000 pilgrims will be transported through the Tamale International Airport during the exercise.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited, together with other security and aviation stakeholders, has also instituted comprehensive screening and clearance procedures to ensure that all pilgrims are adequately prepared for their journey while maintaining the safety, integrity and smooth conduct of the annual Hajj operations.