Strong World Cup showing will honour May 9 victims - Kofi Adams

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, says a strong performance by the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup would serve as a fitting tribute to the 127 football fans who lost their lives in the May 9 Stadium Disaster.

Ghana on Saturday, May 9, 2026, commemorated the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of supporters during a league match between rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Speaking at the silver jubilee remembrance ceremony, Mr Adams extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hope that the memory of those who died would inspire the Black Stars at the global tournament to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“We will once again be arriving in the USA, Canada and Mexico for a major global event. We pray that the departed souls will guide us and that our performance will further honour their memory,” he stated.

The Sports Minister commended football stakeholders for sustaining the annual commemoration, saying the exercise continues to educate younger generations about one of the darkest moments in Ghana’s football history.

“Some supporters were not born then, and it is through such commemorations that they get to understand what really happened,” he said.

According to him, lessons from the disaster have contributed to improvements in crowd management and stadium safety measures over the years.

Mr Adams also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sports development and creating employment opportunities for the youth through sports, while urging football fans to reject hooliganism and violence.

General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo, described the anniversary as a reminder of the need to uphold discipline, safety and fair play in football.

“Twenty-five years on, we honour the memory of our fallen football faithful whose passion for the game led them to an unexpected end. We continue to stand with the families and must apply the lessons learned to improve our football,” he said.

Officials from Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, including Hearts Managing Director Julius Enumah and Kotoko Commercial Manager Charles Hammond, also conveyed condolences to bereaved families and pledged continued support.

The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying exercise attended by officials from the Sports Ministry, the GFA and the two clubs.

Source: GNA

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