Dr Bawumia returns from Hajj

The running mate to the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that he has been spiritually renewed after the pilgrimage to Mecca.

“I have come back spiritually renewed and I hope to continue whatever I’m doing to help the country,” he stated.

 Dr Bawumia underscored the need for peaceful coexistence among the citizenry, ahead of the 2016 general election, to accelerate Ghana’s development.

“Life on this earth is very temporary; we are just passing through, so we should treat each other with respect, care and dignity,” he noted.

 Hajj stampede

Dr Bawumia described the stampede at Mina in Saudi Arabia as a frightening experience.

“We received the news through a phone call that something had happened and it was a big surprise and a frightening experience for all of us who were there,” he stressed.

The stampede happened as two large groups of pilgrims converged as they were taking part in Jumrah, which is the day of stoning the devil.

Saudi authorities put the total death toll at 769, but foreign media reports and officials say it is over 1,000.

Addressing the media at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Dr Bawumia said that the tragedy was a big test for everyone to be each other’s keeper in times of trouble.

“All Ghanaians in Mecca worked together to do the best they could for the pilgrims who were out there and I think if we all work as one country, one people, we can achieve a lot. I saw that spirit during the Hajj,” Dr Bawumia added.