The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving safety at football stadiums across the country as the 24th anniversary of the May 9 Stadium Disaster was remembered today on the forecourt of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The remembrance event took place on the stadium’s forecourt, where 127 football supporters were sadly killed during a league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in 2001.
Addressing a sorrowful gathering of football officials, fans, government leaders, and bereaved families, the Minister emphasized that, while enthusiasm is essential to the game, it must never lead to violence.
“Football is a game played with a lot of passion, but that in no way should move this passion to the level of violence, no matter the decisions and no matter the outcomes,” he said.
Mr Adams noted the worrying resurgence of hooliganism in Ghanaian football and cited the recent death of a supporter, popularly known as “Pooley”, as a tragedy that must not be repeated.
The Minister also commended the May 9 Disaster Fund for its support to the families of victims over the years, disclosing that most of the children of the deceased who were supported through education have now completed tertiary education. He, however, called for full accountability on the fund’s current status and utilisation going forward.
