Nation remember Africa's worst stadium disaster

A remembrance service was held in honour of 130 fans who lost their lives a year ago after a league game at the Accra Stadium in Africa's worst sports disaster.

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

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 stadium 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 stadium disaster fund.

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

Hearts of Oak 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.

Christain and Muslim prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of those who died while Reverend Emmanuel Asante in his sermon hit out at football hooliganism.

President Kuffour, dressed in an all-black outfit, took time out to shake hands with friends and families of those who died after the local league game between bitter rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. The president later presented an ambulance donated by several companies to the stadium clinic.
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.
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 Accra Stadium disaster, press reports said Wednesday. The officers are: Nana Koranteng-Mintah, John Asare Naami, Frank Awu, Benjamin Bosomi Bakomora, Francis Ayitey Aryee and Faakye Kumi.
The officers as well as the other lower-ranked policemen on duty at the stadium on the day of the disaster were suspended immediately after the tragedy. According to the Daily Graphic, the Attorney-General's office has finalised the documentation for their trial at the high court in line with the recommendation of the panel of inquiry that investigated the stadium stampede. The head of public prosecution Osafo Sampong said that the delay in charging the officers had been caused by the need to do a thorough job which involves a lot of paper work

• Ghana keep stadium disaster memorial low key

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