24 years after Ghana’s deadliest football tragedy, has Ghana learnt from May 9? Ashirifi-Amoah Writes

Scenes from the May 9 Incident, 2001

On May 9, 2001, a tragedy struck at the Accra Sports Stadium. A Premier League match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko ended in disaster. The event claimed 126 lives, marking Ghana’s worst sporting disaster.

The chaos began with anger over officiating. Fans threw objects onto the pitch. Police responded with tear gas, leading to panic. Exits were locked or insufficient, trapping many inside. In moments, celebration turned into mourning.

Now, 24 years later, we ask: Has Ghana truly learned from May 9?

In the days after the incident, Ghana united in grief. Football matches were paused nationwide. The President declared three days of national mourning. A commission investigated and blamed police errors and poor stadium management.

Years later, the Accra Sports Stadium was reconstructed. Safety guidelines were updated and new exit routes planned. Steward training became a priority on paper. However, memory without enforcement fades quickly.

A Fragile Legacy

Today, we remember May 9 with solemn ceremonies and memorial walks. Figures like Herbert Mensah keep the memory alive by raising funds for affected families. They also advocate for stadium safety each year.

Yet troubling signs remain evident today. Fan violence continues to occur at matches. Recently, chaos erupted during a Division One League game between Hohoe United and Attram De Visser.

Stadium exits are still sometimes blocked during events. Match-day security often reacts instead of planning ahead. These incidents serve as warnings about systemic issues that can lead to disasters.

Remembrance or Repetition?

If we have truly learned from May 9, every match should start with a commitment to safety. No supporter or player should die watching their favorite game.

This requires accountability beyond just anniversaries. We must ask tough questions before disasters happen—not just after them. Police need training to de-escalate situations rather than inflame them.

Exits must function properly during events too. Clubs and the Ghana Football Association must prioritize people over profits every match day.

The Real Tribute

The best tribute to those lost is prevention through effective systems that protect lives before tragedies occur.

So again we ask: Has Ghana learned from May 9?

The honest answer is: not enough has changed yet.

However, the future remains unwritten; we can create a new legacy where “Never Again” becomes a certainty.