Ghana has marked 24 years since the May 9 Stadium Disaster, with Sports Minister Kofi Adams renewing calls for improved safety at football venues.
The remembrance event was held at the Accra Sports Stadium, where 127 fans died in 2001 during a match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
Families of the victims, football officials, and supporters gathered to honour the lives lost in what remains the darkest day in Ghanaian football.
The Minister called for passion in football to be expressed peacefully, not through chaos or 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.
“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.”
Prayers were said for the departed, and stakeholders pledged to work together to prevent another tragedy.
The anniversary served as a reminder that safety must always come first in the game.
