Govt bans tear gas and rubber bullets at grounds

Ghana have banned the use of tear gas and rubber bullets at football matches following last year's Accra Stadium disaster which left 130 fans dead, officials told AFP here Thursday.

"We have taken several measures to ensure our stadiums are safer since that tragedy last May," said Ferdinand Ayim, special assistant to the Minister of Information and Presidential affairs.

"The use of tear gas and rubber bullets have, among other things, been outlawed at our sporting arenas."

In addition, the police, widely blamed for their poor handling of the crowd trouble last May, are now training their men on crowd control. Also, at least four video cameras will be positioned at high-risk match venues to spot trouble makers.

Ghana on Thursday held a remembrance service in honour of the 130 fans who lost their lives a year ago after a league game between Hearts of Oak and Kotoko at the Accra Stadium in Africa's worst sports disaster.

The hour-long ceremony at the ground was attended by President John Kuffour, top government officials as well as families of the victims.

Sports Minister Osei Kweku said in the government's tribute to those who lost their lives that they had not died in vain.

"The overwhelming show of support by the people of Ghana and well wishers of this country, demonstrated through donations to the disaster fund, was a huge testimony to those who died in the tragedy, that they did not die in vain," the minister said.

Officials told AFP that about 2.8 billion cedis (about 370,000 dollars) has so far been raised for the fund.

A scholarship scheme for the 130 children, orphaned by this tragedy is to be established soon. There will also be a one-off payment to those who were injured in the incident.

Hearts of Oak club official Fiifi Forson described the dead fans, most of whom belonged to his club, as heroes.

"They were disciplined, noble and honourable heroes and heroines who fell in the battle for the great game of football," he said.

Boss of Kotoko, Herbert Mensah, said: "We can never forget this tragedy. We have lost and we have mourned. But now we have to move on and look forward to a new future."

A brother of a victim of the tragedy, Alhassan Choita, told AFP that he would not wish to relive that horrible day.

"We all went to the stadium together but when trouble began we were separated. And the next day, we heard my brother was no more. We still remember him. May God let us not to see such disaster again," he prayed.

A minute's silence was observed at the ceremony while wreaths were laid in honour of the dead.

The Sports Minister later reopened the North Stand, renamed the May 9 Stand in memory of the victims, where the trouble broke out a year ago. About 26,000 dollars was spent to refurbish the 20,000-capacity stand as well as the six stair wells where fans were trapped.

A monument titled My Brother's Keeper will also be built at the main entrance of the stadium and will carry the names of all the fans who died.

Meanwhile, six police officers are to stand trial for manslaughter for their alleged role in the disaster, press reports said.