22ND EDITION OF MAY 9 STADIUM DISASTER COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY HELD
A solemn ceremony has been held at the Accra Sports stadium to commemorate the unfortunate incident that took the lives of 127 football fans some 22 years ago in a crucial match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Ashanti Kotoko.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif indicated that it was a great honour for him to be at the 22nd commemorative edition of MAY 9 stadium disaster event noting that it was important to remember our compatriots who perished in that unfortunate incident.
“Today, 22 years ago, serves as Remembrance Day for the tragedy that occurred with 127 Ghanaian football fans losing their lives and 100 injured”.
The Minister who spoke under the theme “Never Again, Say No to Hooliganism,” expressed his conviction that the commemoration of the event annually has helped in shaping Ghana football and can attest to numerous interventions made by government to forestall any future occurrence.
He further asked football fans to learn lessons from what transpired 22 years ago in order not to repeat the unfortunate incident again.
On his part, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi in a short statement noted that the event is celebrated annually in honour of the 127 lives lost 22years ago.
Prof. Twumasi, revealed
that this must serve as a reminder to all Ghanaians to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the near future.
He further praised the government for putting in much efforts in the various sports facilities to ensure that incidents like May 9 disaster will be a thing of the past in our football and other sporting events.
He advised football fans to eschew tendencies that may lead to such unfortunate incidents and to always remember this day not to repeat itself again.
The Secretary General of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo also noted that the GFA would continue to work with all key stakeholders to ensure the continuous safety of all fans in the various stadia at all times.
Present at the event included Mr. Eric Mensah – Bonsu, Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Abdul Karim Tossa, Director of Internal Audit at he Ministry of Youth and Sports, Madam Francisa Atulik, Deputy Director of Human Resource and Mr. Horen Quashigah, Deputy Director for Research, Statistics and Information Management.
Others include the Deputy Director General (Administration) of the National Sports Authority Mr. Majid Bawa, Custodian of the May 9th Foundation, Mr. Charles Annan, Ghana Supporters Union and representatives from Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante.
