Ghana football remembers May 9 dead

Ghana football is marking the 9th anniversary of the football disaster that claimed 126 lives at Ohene Djan Stadium (then know as Accra Sports Stadium).

Some 126 fans died after a stampede broke out in one of the stands at the Stadium after a league match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

Police officers fired tear gas into the stand in their efforts to control rioting fans but rather ended the lives of 126 fans who were crushed to death while attempting to escape.

The loss of lives saw Ghana and the Ohene Djan Stadium (then know as Accra Sports Stadium) record Africa's worst football tragedy on the 9th of May.

In each of the 8 years since Ghana football's most horrific day, a memorial service has been held, at the Ohene Djan Stadium, as prayers and a minute's silence are observed for what happened.

The families, friends, relations and all members of the football family unite to pay their quiet respects to the fallen 126 football fans.

But today, Ghana football will recall events of the horror of May 9 as the two sides play a commemorative match to remember the disaster's 9th anniversary.

Though the country has moved on, President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi has reiterated his call for tolerance and effective crowd control measures.

“We have to certainly look back and try to put in measures to forestall any of such occurrences in the future.

"I strongly believe that we might have picked up some valuable lessons through the rather unfortunate incident of that day.

"The issue of public safety, security and crowd control is very relevant even today and we expect all to make sure that the football grounds are not scenes for such happenings.

“Our hearts go to the families and friends of the departed and to all survivors.

"We know today will seem like yesterday but we would always have those we lost in our minds,” Kwesi Nyantakyi said.