2016 Hajj - The Tamale experience

‘I never thought I will live to see this day, indeed I am very happy to be part of this memorable flight from Tamale to Saudi Arabia and back home,’ this was a testimony from Hajia Mariama Issah, a first time pilgrim.

The visibly excited hajia displayed her gold teeth grill as she narrated her experience. She was among the 1,500 pilgrims who were airlifted from the Tamale Airport on August 19, 2016 to embark on this year’s hajj pilgrimage to holy cities in Saudi Arabia. They returned home on September 22, 2016.

Previously, pilgrims from the north had to travel the long distance from their comfort zones to the Hajj Village in Accra where they had to go through the drudgeries at the camp before the lucky ones could emplane. 

They were usually accompanied by relatives and friends on the journey to Accra, and considering the rising cost of transport, accommodation and food, coupled with the inconveniences they had to go through, one can appreciate the joy of Hajia Mariama and her colleagues who were saved from traversing that tedious journey of about 13 hours to Accra, depending on which part of the north a pilgrim and his or her entourage were travelling from. 

Another pilgrim, Alhaji Muniru Issah, said, “Indeed, when we were told we would fly from Tamale for this year’s Hajj, I could not believe it. I was in the third batch. That morning, I woke up comfortably, had a good bath, ate my favourite Sa’am (T.Z) after which I was driven comfortably to the Jubilee Park in the company of family and friends. The rest is now history.” 

Benefits

Apart from the convenience of travelling from their home base, the Tamale flight also offered opportunity to food vendors and other traders to have a field day at the Tamale Jubilee Park (Hajj Village) where hundreds of family  and friends had thronged to bid farewell to their loved ones. Statistics may not be readily available to determine the level of financial inflows into the Tamale Metropolis during the hajj period, but as Ms Anatu Issah, a food vendor, gleefully stated,‘We are happy we made sales.’

Maiden flight 

It must, however, be indicated that this is not the first time pilgrims have flown directly from Tamale to Mecca. It happened between 1976 and 1978. The feat was chalked up through the ingenuity and leadership of the veteran lawyer and northern political hulk, Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama.

In his book, ‘The Destiny of a horse boy,’ Lawyer Mahama explained that he was pained by the toils his mother and other pilgrims had to go through to embark on the pilgrimage in the early 70s.

As a result, he teamed up with his brother-in-law, Mr Adodo Can-Tamakloe, to form the Bes World Airlines company, and in collaboration with the British Overseas Airways, secured a flight from the former Yugoslav Airline (JAT) Boeing 704 Aircraft to airlift pilgrims from the Tamale Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Some of the pilgrims in the maiden flight were from the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions. The rest came from the three northern regions. 

It is interesting to learn that when the then Ghana Airways claimed it could not provide starters and stepladders for the historic flight from Tamale, ‘we got a local carpenter to design and construct a wooden ladder for use by the pilgrims,’ Lawyer Ibrahim revealed. According to him, ‘The pilots told us they were prepared to keep the engine of the plane running during the period the passengers were to check-in.’

He said the following year, (1977); four flights took off from the Tamale Airport to Mecca following the successful flight the previous year. The return trip to Tamale attracted hundreds of residents to the airport to witness the ‘wonders’ at the time.

Interestingly, the cost of a return ticket to Mecca and back at the time  was only ¢1,600 ( old Ghana cedis). Each pilgrim was also offered 600 dollars upon arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to Lawyer Mahama, ‘The smooth operations of Bes World Airlines nailed the coffin of the Ghana Airways hajj flight tours.’  

Significance

Hajj literally means head for; visit; going to visit an important and honourable place. Hajj forms part of the five pillars of Islam. The other four are Faith: believing that there is no god except Allah and that Mohammed is His Messenger; Salat: performing ritual prayers five times each day. Zakat: paying of alms or charity to benefit the poor and the needy and Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan. 

The annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca draws millions of Muslims from around the world. The journey is required by every Muslim who is financially and physically capable and is of sound mind at least once in a lifetime.

  Airport

The first phase of the upgrading and expansion works at the Tamale Airport included the extension of the runway from 2,480 to about 3,940 metres and the installation of aeronautical lighting system and allied facilities.

The project became necessary because of the increasing number of airlines that use the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and the growing demand for domestic air transport.

It is consistent with the International Aviation Organisation (CAO) requirement that enjoins member countries to have an alternative international airport that have similar capacities as their main airport.

With the inauguration of the first phase of the project, the airport now has the capacity to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft such as Boeing 747-800 series. The project was undertaken at an estimated cost of $130 million.

The second phase will involve the construction of a terminal and a cargo section for the export of fresh vegetables and other agricultural products from the area that is noted as the nation’s food basket. It will also include the construction of a Hajj Village.