SUNDA International, producers of fast-moving household consumables such as diapers, soaps, detergents, and sanitary pads, has donated a range of their products through the May 9 Foundation to families of victims of the Accra Stadium disaster and other vulnerable groups.

The donations were presented last Friday by Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa and founding President of the May 9 Foundation. The gesture formed part of activities marking the 24th anniversary of the tragic Accra Stadium stampede, which occurred during a football match between rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko on 9 May 2001. The disaster claimed at least 126 lives and left many supporters injured, plunging their families into despair.

Other commemorative activities included a massive walk led by Herbert Mensah through the principal streets of Kumasi, as well as prayers at the Kumasi Central Mosque for the souls of the departed fans.

The 9 May 2001 Accra Stadium disaster remains the most devastating tragedy in Ghana’s sporting history. Although the Government of Ghana established a disaster fund at the time to support the families of the victims, many of them have reportedly received very little benefit. Justice has also remained elusive for 24 years, as the commission of inquiry set up to investigate the incident found no one culpable.

As chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the time of the tragedy, Herbert Mensah has taken personal responsibility over the years, working to replace despair with hope for the affected families.

In recent years, the May 9 Remembered charity projects have funded surgeries for sick children at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), as well as support for gas explosion victims, flood victims, physically disabled persons, and payment of school fees for many of the affected families.

Sponsors including SUNDA International, Kivo, and Interplast have pledged continued support for the May 9 charity initiative, led by Herbert Mensah, as part of their corporate social responsibility to the people of Ghana.

“What I saw and experienced on 9 May 2001 in that stadium changed my life. It has taught us the value of empathy. We don’t want to forget that day, and we don’t want a repeat of that tragic event in our history,” Herbert Mensah told journalists during the presentation of items and cash to affected families in Kumasi on Friday.

He added, “Sponsors like SUNDA International, Twyford Ceramics, Interplast, Kivo, and Kwabena Kesse of the Kesben Group share this value of empathy with the May 9 Foundation — for those who suffered that day and those who continue to suffer from other disasters such as gas explosions and floods. We appreciate their continued support in the years gone by, and in the years to come.”