Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo has strongly criticised the government’s decision to construct a Hajj Village, calling it a misplaced priority at a time when Ghana is still reeling from economic challenges.
Domelevo questioned the rationale behind investing in a religious facility while the country struggles to recover from the $58 million spent on the National Cathedral with little progress to show.
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“It is truly astonishing—especially as we grapple with recovering over $58 million squandered on the National Cathedral project—that one of the key priorities of the Mahama administration is the fruitless and wasteful Hajj Village project,” he stated.
His remarks follow assurances from the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who clarified that no taxpayer funds would be used for the project. However, Domelevo dismissed the claim as misleading, arguing that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which is funding the project, is a state-owned enterprise whose revenue ultimately belongs to the government.
He further pointed out that even if the government is a major shareholder in the enterprise, public funds could still be indirectly involved in the project’s financing.
Domelevo also compared Ghana’s development approach to Ethiopia‘s, noting that despite having a large Muslim population, Ethiopia has prioritised infrastructure projects that drive economic growth. He highlighted Ethiopia’s investment in a five-star Skylight Hotel with over 1,000 rooms and airport expansion efforts to support transit passengers, contrasting it with Ghana’s focus on a Hajj Village.
“We should stop celebrating mediocrity,” he remarked, arguing that Ghana should direct its resources toward initiatives that yield tangible economic benefits.
