Herbert Mensah, President of the May 9 Foundation and former CEO of Asante Kotoko, continues to urge remembrance and action on the anniversary of the devastating stadium disaster that struck Ghana in 2001.
On May 9th, 2001, a Ghanaian Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko turned into a nightmare. A disputed referee decision sparked fan violence, with objects thrown onto the pitch. Police intervention using tear gas and closed stadium gates resulted in a stampede, claiming over 120 lives.
Mensah, in a press statement marking the 23rd anniversary, highlighted the symbolic weight of May 9th: “May 9th has become symbolic of so many things… The critical situation is that we should at least set a benchmark for this sort of thing to never happen again.”
The May 9 Foundation, led by Mensah, works tirelessly to raise awareness of the tragedy and support those affected. Mensah emphasized the need to learn from the past: “There are other issues happening in terms of violence at sporting events which must stop. We have not forgotten, we are there to support.”
Mensah’s dedication ensures the victims are not forgotten, and their families receive support. He advocates for improved safety measures at sporting events to prevent similar tragedies.
The May 9th disaster remains one of the worst in Ghanaian and African football history. Herbert Mensah’s unwavering commitment serves as a beacon of hope, striving to ensure such a tragedy never befalls the beautiful game again.