Today marks exactly fifteen years of the May 9 Stadium disasters that claimed the lives of 127 football supporters at the Accra Sports Stadium in 2001, making it the worst stadium disaster to have ever taken place in Africa.
The anniversary will be marked across the country with the main events taking place in Kumasi, a city located 200km north-west of Accra. Kumasi will host a street march, religious ceremonies at a church and mosque, and a special football match between teams from Accra and Kumasi.
The victims had gone to the stadium to watch the match between Ghana’s two biggest clubs Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.
The incident occurred when some football fans began throwing objects onto the football pitch following an equalizing goal from Accra Hearts of Oak.
The action by the football spectators was to protest a supposed unfairness which was being exhibited by the referee from Cape Coast referee, J. Wilson-Sey.
The Police who were at the stadium to ensure security responded by firing tear gas into the raging crowd which led to a stampede and the subsequent death of the 127 persons from compressive asphyxia which hundreds of others sustained various degrees of injury.
An official inquiry blamed police for over-reacting with reckless behaviour and indiscriminate firing of plastic bullets and tear gas. It also accused some officers of dishonesty and indefensible laxity.
Reports claim that medical staff had already left the stadium, as the incident happened near the end of the match. Some gates were locked, preventing escape. Six police officers were charged with 127 counts of manslaughter afterwards,[1]but the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to make a case.
