News
24th Anniversary of May 9 Stadium Disaster held at Accra Sports Stadium
A solemn ceremony has been held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the tragic Stadium Disaster—widely regarded as the darkest day in Ghana’s football history.
On May 9, 2001, a Premier League clash between rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko turned tragic when crowd disturbances escalated, prompting police to fire tear gas into the stands. The resulting stampede led to the deaths of 127 spectators and left many others injured.
Since the incident, annual commemorative events have been organized to honour the victims and reflect on the lessons learned. This year’s remembrance brought together key stakeholders in Ghanaian football, government officials, club representatives, and family members of the victims.
In a keynote address, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving safety at sports venues. He pledged continued collaboration with football stakeholders to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, speaking on behalf of the football fraternity, described the disaster as a harrowing moment in Ghana’s sporting history. He noted that the most meaningful tribute to the victims is a collective commitment to prevention.
“The best way to honour those we lost is to ensure that it never happens again,” he said. “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 highlighted the introduction of Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols by the GFA and praised the ongoing development of football infrastructure across the country.
Simeon-Okraku also reflected on the recent loss of Asante Kotoko supporter, Pooley, in Nsoatre and called on the Ghana Police Service to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He was joined at the ceremony by 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 1st Vice Chairman JoeSalam Abubakar and Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil.
Representatives of the two clubs involved in the 2001 tragedy, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, delivered messages of solidarity. Hearts of Oak’s 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 Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director-General of the National Sports Authority, his deputies, families of the victims, and members of the Ghana Supporters Union.
The ceremony concluded with traditional prayers and the laying of wreaths at the May 9 Monument in honour of the departed souls. Wreaths were laid by the Minister of Youth and Sports, the President of the GFA, former Hearts of Oak Chairman, Kotoko’s Marketing Manager, and the Director-General of the NSA.
As the nation paused to remember the fallen, the resounding message from the ceremony was clear: May 9 must never happen again.
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
