The first batch of pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj in the Northern region would be able to fly directly from the Tamale airport to the Holy land of Mecca. This is the first time two airports are being used to help transport would be pilgrims.

The newly refurbished Tamale airport is expected to cater for pilgrims in the entire northern sector of the country and the Kotoka international airport would handle the entire sector. The new airport is to complement and ease pressure on Ghana’s only international airport which is situated in Accra, the capital.

A total of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pilgrims are expected to embark on this year’s exercise and they have all been cautioned not to break the rules enshrined in the Holy trip and they would be part of the first batch to fly from Tamale.

Issues of attempting to board flights with unapproved goods were laid before an array of officials Thursday morning during their visit to the Temporal Hajj Village.

This prompted the Northern Regional Minister, Hon Abdullah Abubakari to call on first time pilgrims to abide by the rules so not to tarnish the image of Ghana to the global world.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to commission the upgrade of work on the Tamale Airport and witness the maiden takeoff.

By Martin Asiedu-Dartey|3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @3newsgh