It was an atmosphere of solemn gathering on Friday 9 May, 2025 of government officials, football administrators, fans, and bereaved families as Ghana marks the 24th anniversary of the worse sports disaster in the country’s history, the May 9 disaster.
On May 9, 2001, 127 football fans tragically lost their lives through a stampede during a Ghana premier league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Football fans disturbance had escalated necessitating the firing of a tear gas by the police which resulted into the stampede.
Addressing the solemn ceremony at the forecourts of the Accra Stadium, Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams noted that while the display of passion is central to the game of football, it must never degenerate into 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 who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Buem in the Oti region pledged the renewed commitment of the Government of President John Dramani Mahama to ensure safety at all official football venues across the country.
He also condemned the worrying resurgence of hooliganism in Ghanaian football citing the recent death of a football fan, affectionately known as “Pooley”, describing it as a tragedy that must not be repeated.
“The loss of Pooley recently shouldn’t have happened… The government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and our ministry is determined to collaborate with the Ghana Police to make sure every single person behind this act is punished. We will not shield anybody. It doesn’t matter your status,” he warned.
Mr Kofi Adams 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.
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, urged all stakeholders to stay committed to eradicating hooliganism from the sport.
“Hooliganism has no place in our football. If we continue to misbehave, we will continue to lose lives. But that is not the essence of football,” he said. “Football must be enjoyed in a safe environment… enjoyed and go back home in peace.”
Mr Okraku added that although the tragedy cannot be undone, efforts to improve infrastructure and safety protocols over the past two decades have yielded tangible improvements.
“If you come to the Accra Sports Stadium or the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, you realise that the infrastructure has hugely improved. Security arrangements for games are totally different and much enhanced,” he said, while calling for justice in the recent death of Poli. “Justice for Poli is still relevant as we continue this journey of remembering the 127-plus souls that we lost here.”
The Managing Director of Accra Hearts of Oak, Dr Delali Anku-Adiamah, reminded the public of the human toll of that tragic day. “So 24 years ago, 127 people came here to watch a game… They never came back home again. It’s a very, very sad day for football,” she said.
Dr Anku-Adiamah acknowledged the reforms in football safety and called on traumatised fans to return to the stadium. “We have done a lot to clean up the sport, and it is now very, very safe. Please come and watch the games,” she urged, while pledging the club’s continued commitment to preventing a recurrence.
Representing Asante Kotoko, Charles Hammond paid tribute to the fallen, saying their love for the game and for Kotoko lives on.
“To the families and friends who carry the weight of this, your beloved ones will never be forgotten. Their names are etched in our history, and their spirits fuel our resilience,” he said. “As we reflect, let us also commit to fostering safety, unity and peace in our stadiums.”
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the departed and renewed pledges from all present to safeguard the future of football in Ghana a sport whose unity, passion and beauty must never again be marred by preventable tragedy.
