By: Adnan Adams Mohammed
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Ghana’s newly commissioned Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Alhaji Said Saleh Sinare, has highly rated the organization of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, scoring its execution at an impressive 92%.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalist Abdul Wahab Jawando in Saudi Arabia, the veteran diplomat and politician highlighted a “total big, big difference” and significant structural improvements over the previous year, pointing to seamless coordination and exemplary pilgrim conduct.
A “trouble-free” Hajj: Assessing logistics and facilities
Reflecting on the complex logistical nature of moving thousands of Ghanaian Muslims across sacred sites, Ambassador Sinare gave high marks to the standard of facilities provided.
● Excellent accommodations: The Ambassador confirmed that housing arrangements in both Madina and Makkah were highly successful and met premium comfort standards.
● Seamless operations: From the departure of the very first flight to the arrival of the last, the entire process was described as entirely “trouble-free,” devoid of the historical logistical crises that often plague the annual exercise.
● “We cannot claim 100% perfection, but this year’s organizational matrix ranks very high. Our people traveled with dignity, and they were cared for with dignity,” Amb. Sinare remarked.
Strict Saudi regulations and pilgrim discipline
A major focal point of the 2026 Hajj season was the uncompromising stance of the Saudi authorities regarding safety and legality. The Kingdom introduced highly advanced airport scanners capable of detecting illicit items and banned medications anywhere within luggage.
Ambassador Sinare revealed that ahead of the trip, severe warnings had been issued, noting that penalties for smuggling banned substances included devastating 20-to-30-year prison sentences. He expressed massive relief that no Ghanaian pilgrim fell victim to arrests or security breaches.
“Thanks to intensive pre-trip sensitization and rigorous social media alerts, our pilgrims behaved impeccably. They respected the laws of the host nation, and we returned home with our national pride completely intact,” he said.
Collaborative leadership style: Eyeing a 99.9% future
When asked about his approach to handling his diplomatic duties, Ambassador Sinare championed a leadership style rooted in collaboration, humility, and rigorous foresight.
He shifted the spotlight from himself to heavily praise the collective machinery behind the operation, giving immense credit to:
○ The Hajj Board Chairman and its dedicated board members.
○ The proactive staff at the Ghana Embassy, including his Deputy and the Consular General.
True to his reformist nature, the Ambassador stated that he is not content with resting on current laurels. Plans are already in motion to convene high-level meetings with the Hajj Board leadership to dissect the minor administrative hiccups encountered this year such as passport delays and visa regularizations with a firm target to achieve a near-flawless 99.9% success rate for the 2027 Hajj.
High praise for President John Mahama
Turning his attention to domestic politics and statecraft, Ambassador Sinare who was recently commissioned by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House offered a glowing assessment of the current administration’s trajectory.
Lauding President Mahama’s governance style and diplomatic vision, Amb. Sinare emphasized that the President’s focus on clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for foreign missions is already yielding tangible results. He noted that Mahama’s strategic directives to leverage diplomacy for investment, tourism, and job creation have re-energized Ghana’s foreign policy.
“President Mahama is leading with clarity, economic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to accountability. It is this same structural discipline we are mirroring here in our diplomatic and Hajj operations to ensure Ghana remains a beacon of excellence on the global stage,” the Ambassador concluded.
