Kofi Dzamesi addressing the media
MINISTER OF Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Kofi Dzamesi, has indicated that the fare for Christian pilgrimage to the State of Israel in 2017 remains unchanged for 2018 pilgrims.
According to Mr. Dzamesi, this year Ghanaian Christians desirous of embarking on the holy journey to Israel will be paying the 2017 fee of $2,700 per person.
The amount, he said, “covers flight, accommodation and meals. Pilgrims to the State of Israel shall among others, have daily meditation at significant sites mentioned in the Bible, worship at Mt. Carmel, pray at the Western Wall of the Temple of Jerusalem, visit the Nativity Church in Bethlehem and visit Gethsemane Gardens.”
Mr. Dzamesi was addressing the media in Accra yesterday concerning the upcoming Christian pilgrimage to Israel scheduled for August 2018 – which the ministry is facilitating.
He indicated that the pilot pilgrimage organized by the ministry was largely successful but noted that a lot of Ghanaian Christians were embarking on the journey simply to illegally settle down in Israel, reportedly causing serious embarrassment to Ghana as a country.
He observed that the ministry, as part of its facilitating effort, would ensure that all operators organizing or undertaking pilgrimages to holy sites, apart from meeting all the necessary requirements, also register with the ministry.
He said, “The reason for this is that, there is need to know the persons or bodies that organize pilgrimage, to know the number, to ensure that the persons eligible are persons genuinely undertaking pilgrimage, importantly, that the image, dignity and integrity of our country are maintained.”
The minister added, “We intend to ensure that the reason and the sanctity for pilgrimage is primary, respected and maintained at all material times.”
BY Melvin Tarlue