Former Asante Kotoko Chairman, Herbert Mensah, has hit out at the government and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for not doing enough to support the victims and families of the May 9 stadium disaster.
Soccer fans numbering 127 lost their lives in a stampede during a clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9, 2001, regarded as the worst stadium disaster in the history of Ghana football.
Herbert Mensah, who was Chairman of Asante Kotoko when the incident occurred, has been leading the commemoration of the May 9 disaster annually.
He is worried little has been done on the part of both the GFA and the government to support victims of the disaster.
“We have been doing this for 21 years. We’ve seen different FA Presidents, many ministers and different Presidents. We have chosen a path that serves as the global standard.
“Has Ghana exhibited the standard? No, definitely not. Has the FA over 21 years? No. has the government over 21 years? No.
“But we don’t care; we are there to do what we believe should be done and has been done.
“I’m in touch with the people of Hillsborough, I’m in touch with the people of Ellis Park, so I know what is done in different countries, continuously remembering the occasion and the symbolism,” said Herbert.
The founder of the May 9 Foundation, who endured the terrible experience of helping to convey some of the dead bodies and injured fans to the hospital on a sad day, noted that authorities marching to the stadium to lay a wreath is not enough to show support to the victims.
“It is not about going to the statue at the stadium, laying a wreath and thinking you have done something that’s not enough, and it’s not about money, but there are many things that could be done over the period I just said, there is a global standard,” he added.
Herbert Mensah joined Muslims and chiefs at the Kumasi Central Mosque on Friday to donate some items and pray for the souls of the football fans who died during the stampede.
Items donated include food items, household consumables and groceries.
The Ashanti regional chief Imam, Abdul Mumin, led prayers for the souls of the departed football fans during the commemoration.
This year marks 21 years of the sad event.
Latest Stories
-
Security agencies inspect venue ahead of NPP National Delegates’ Conference
10 seconds -
Old Mutual Ghana joins 2025 JoySports Invitational Tournament
5 minutes -
Standard Chartered powers 5th cohort of women-led innovation for inclusive growth in Ghana
12 minutes -
Ghanaian youth leader champions climate justice at Global Environmental Training in India
16 minutes -
GOIL announces upgrade of 270 pump stations; calls for fair fuel import permits
18 minutes -
Galamsey fight: Why waste our time and energy when politicians are involved? – Col. Aboagye
20 minutes -
Agenda 111: Gov’t to prioritise projects over 70% complete – Akandoh
21 minutes -
Taste of summer: Delta refreshes onboard offerings for the season
23 minutes -
Akwatia NPP youth group warns against candidate imposition ahead of by-election
24 minutes -
Ghana Chieftaincy Awards 2025 and Royal Investment Summit launched in Accra
25 minutes -
Mr. Benjamin Boampong Owusu appointed Registrar of KNUST
28 minutes -
Team Ghana depart for Commonwealth Games GAPS program in South Africa
31 minutes -
NSMQ 2025: Mahama’s Ghana SHS, Bawumia’s Tamale SHS face off in high-stakes Northern Zonal final today
32 minutes -
Akuaba: Historic tale of Ghanaian doll believed to make women fertile
33 minutes -
Useless Column: President Buhari
34 minutes