Thousands of people from Accra and Kumasi took to the streets of Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, for a walk in remembrance of victims of the Accra Sports Stadium soccer disaster that resulted in the death of 126 soccer fans 24 years ago.
The soccer fans died from stampede that ensued after police fired several tear gas to stop rowdy supporters who were ripping off plastic chairs at the Ade Coker stand after the match.
Hearts of Oak had just played Asante Kotoko.
The police officers who were cited for manslaughter in the Okudzeto Commission report were later freed by the court.
Herbert Mensah was chairman of Asante Kotoko during the time of the stadium disaster in 2001.
Since the incident, the former Kotoko chairman has ensured that Ghanaians would never forget about the tragedy. He does this by using these yearly remembrance streets walks and charity events under the auspices of the May 9 Foundation of which he is the Founding President.
On Friday May 9, 2025, Herbert Mensah once again led the multitudes who participated, walking through some principal streets of Kumasi, ending with donations of products and cash to affected families.
This year’s walk was also joined by Gifty Pooley, wife of recently killed soccer fan. The Ashanti regional directorate of the National sports authority, students of KNUST as well as various keep fit clubs also joined this year’s remembrance walk.
“We have done this for 24 years and it is because of the relevance for the Day and the respect we have for the departed souls and we will continue to observe the day so long as God gives us life,” Herbert Mensah told the press.
Mr. Mensah who is the President of Rugby Africa and member of the executive board of World Rugby used the occasion to call for greater tolerance among soccer fans during matches especially in light of the recent stabbing and killing of “Pooley”, a famous Asante Kotoko fan during a league game at Nsoatre.
“The tragedy should make football fans more careful; they should understand they are brothers and sisters off the field and they must exhibit the positive rage that comes with soccer,” he added.
He also appealed to the government and administrators of the game to invest more into all sports, especially the least financed ones, to encourage patronage.
The charity donations were sponsored by Sunda International, Kivo Gari as well as Interplast Ghana Ltd.
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