Officials of Hearts and Kotoko in front of the Gboma Nyemi Gyi Gboma statue at the Accra Sports Stadium
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has cautioned football enthusiasts to ensure that the May 9 stadium disaster which claimed 127 lives in a midweek clash involving Hearts and Kotoko in Accra is not repeated.
On Saturday, representatives of Hearts and Kotoko, officials of GFA, Youth & Sports Ministry and the National Sports Authority gathered at the Accra Sports Stadium to mark the 19th edition of the disaster.
The various representatives solemnly laid wreaths beneath the Gbomo Nyemi Gyi Gbomo (men are each other’s keeper) statue at the Accra Sports Stadium entrance in remembrance of the fallen heroes
The GFA used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to ensure the country does not witness such a disaster again.
It stated its readiness to work with fans, security personnel and club administrators on ensuring security is at its best at all match centers.
“Today is a day of grief as we once again remember the incident that claimed the lives of 127 football fans at the Accra Sports Stadium following a stampede during a Ghana Premier League match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in 2001,” a GFA release stated.
It added, “As we mark the 19th anniversary of this disaster, we remember our fallen friends, heroes, colleagues and comrades who lost their lives in that manner whiles supporting the game they truly love.
“The GFA remains committed to honour the memory of our fallen friends by continuing our efforts to improve safety standards at our match venues.
The GFA wishes to appeal to all football administrators, security officers, medicals and indeed football-loving Ghanaians to cooperate with the federation and other stakeholders to ensure we don’t experience such incidents in our game again.
We call on clubs to continue educating their fans on the laws of the game and to remain law-abiding before, during and after league matches.
Let us constantly remind ourselves that never again should such a tragedy befall our beautiful game and our beloved nation,” the release concluded.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum