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General News of Thursday, 10 May 2001

Source: Joy Online

Three Days Of National Mourning Declared.

Government has announced three days of national mourning commencing today for the victims of yesterday's stadium disaster. The decision was taken at an emergency cabinet meeting held this morning to review the tragedy.

According to the Minister for Media Relations, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, government is determined to ensure that those found to have been responsible for the disaster are punished accordingly.

She said, “apart from the commission of enquiry into the disaster, the President has also appointed a funeral committee that will see to the arrangement and what help can be given to the families of the victims.”

“ The commission of enquiry will be targeting mostly on how it came about that such a disaster has over taken us and it is to ensure that it never happens again,” she said.

In view of this government has directed that the leader of the Police Contingent to the Stadium be interdicted whilst internal investigation by the Police Administration continues.

Cabinet has also directed that all flags fly at half-mast during the period of mourning. A non -denominational church service will be held on Sunday in memory of the dead. - Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association in consultation with the Professional League Board, Division One League and the Ghana League Clubs Association has suspended the Star Premier League and all other Football Leagues in the country. - The dates for the resumption would be announced in due course. - The directive does not affect Obuasi Goldfields' CAF match against their Angolan counterparts on Sunday. - A minute silence would be observed for all the departed souls before kick-off on Sunday. - Following a mob attack on some police station in the metropolis for theier perceived poor management of the situation, the minister for presidential affairs Jake Obetsebi Lamptey has appealed for calm.