A solemn ceremony was held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium to mark the 24th anniversary of the May 9th Stadium Disaster—widely recognized as the darkest day in Ghana’s football history.
The tragic events of May 9, 2001, unfolded during a Premier League clash between bitter rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. What began as an intense football encounter turned catastrophic when crowd disturbances escalated and police responded by firing tear gas into the stands. The ensuing stampede resulted in the deaths of 127 spectators and left scores of others injured.
Since that fateful day, annual commemorations have served not only to honour the memory of those who perished but also to reflect on the hard lessons learned and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring fan safety.
This year’s remembrance ceremony brought together a cross-section of key stakeholders including government officials, football administrators, club representatives, and families of the victims. The gathering was a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of the disaster and the collective responsibility to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Kofi Adams, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to improving safety standards at all sporting venues. He pledged continued collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other relevant bodies to ensure such a devastating event is never repeated.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, speaking on behalf of the football fraternity, described the May 9th tragedy as a harrowing moment in the nation’s sporting history. He emphasized that the most meaningful way to honour the victims is through a sustained commitment to prevention.
"The best way to honour those we lost is to ensure that it never happens again," Simeon-Okraku stated.
"Through enhanced infrastructure, robust regulations, and our renewed focus on fan safety, we are working hard to prevent a repeat of this tragic event."
He outlined the GFA’s ongoing initiatives, including the implementation of Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols and significant investment in football infrastructure nationwide.
The GFA President also took a moment to address the recent tragic death of an Asante Kotoko supporter, Pooley, in Nsoatre. He made a passionate appeal to the Ghana Police Service to intensify investigations and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, reinforcing the Association's zero-tolerance stance on hooliganism.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including GFA Executive Council Members Samuel Aboabire and Gideon Fosu, GHALCA Chairman John Ansah, GFA Chief of Staff Michael Osekere, Chief Finance Officer Collins Dei, National Juvenile Committee Vice Chairman JoeSalam Abubakar, and Black Stars Assistant Coach John Paintsil.
Representatives from Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko—the two clubs involved in the 2001 match—also delivered heartfelt messages of solidarity. The Hearts of Oak delegation included Managing Director Delali Adiamah, former Chairman Harry Zakour, and Alhaji Braimah Akambi. Kotoko was represented by Marketing Manager Charles Kwaku Hammond and National Supporters Leader Seth Nii Darko.
Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, his deputies, members of the Ghana Supporters Union, and grieving families of the victims.
The ceremony concluded with traditional prayers and the symbolic laying of wreaths at the May 9th Monument in honour of the departed. Wreaths were laid by the Minister for Youth and Sports, the GFA President, former Hearts of Oak Chairman, Kotoko’s Marketing Manager, and the NSA Director-General.
As the nation paused in reflection, one resounding message echoed throughout the ceremony: May 9th must never happen again.