Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif calls for safe sports environments on May 9 Remembrance Day

On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, has issued a statement on the occasion of May 9 Remembrance Day.

The Minister joined stakeholders at the Accra Sports Stadium to commemorate the tragic event that occurred during a match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

The disaster, which occurred as a result of a controversial decision by the referee, resulted in angry fans throwing bottles and objects onto the pitch. The situation escalated when police used tear gas and the stadium gates were closed, leading to a disastrous stampede.

In his statement, Minister Ussif paid tribute to the 126 lives lost in the incident and extended his condolences to their families and loved ones. He acknowledged the event as one of the saddest chapters in Ghanaian sporting history.

“Today we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the May 9 stadium disaster, one of the saddest chapters in Ghanaian sporting history, and remember the 126 lives lost, and my thoughts are with their families and loved ones. Today, let us recommit to creating a safe sporting environment. The government and I, along with all stakeholders in the sports industry, are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our athletes and fans remembering those we have lost by working together to prevent such tragedies in the future” , he posted on Facebook.