A GNA Compilation

By Boakye-Dankwa Boadi

Accra, May 9, GNA - Today Sunday 9th May 2010 marks the ninth anniversary of the May 2001 Accra Sports Stadium (Ohene Djan Sports Stadium) disaster in which 126 soccer fans died in a stampede after a Premier League match between Accra Hearts of Oak and their arch rivals, Asante Kotoko Football Club.

More than 50 persons were also admitted to various hospitals in Accra. Below are the stories GNA filed on the disaster:

Scores of soccer fans die at the Accra Stadium

Accra, May 9, GNA - Scores of unidentified dead bodies of soccer fans were found scattered at the basement of the Ade Coker Stands at the Accra Sports Stadium after the Hearts-Kotoko Star Premier match on Wednesday. A lot more, were also found panting or gasping when the GNA Sports team visited the stadium. They were being rushed to the Police Hospital by the police night patrol team.

The incident occurred after Hearts 2-1 victory and some aggrieved Kotoko fans went wild and destroyed many plastic chairs at the Ade Coker stand, while others hurled bottles and stones onto the inner perimeter. The police responded by firing five canisters of teargas into the stands, which led to a stamped resulting in the death of the fans. Prior to the match security was stepped up apparently in an attempt to avert what happened in South Africa, Dr Congo, Cote D'Ivoire and Iran. In all these cases, the incidents occurred during soccer matches between the two top teams in those countries.

The Ghana News Agency would keep you updated on the incident.

Hearts subdue Kotoko 2-1

Accra, May 9 (GNA) - Two goals by Ishmael Addo in the 77th and 81st minutes helped Accra Hearts of Oak beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-1 in their top liner Star Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

Lawrence Adjei shot the Porcupine Worriors into the lead in the 60th minute when he powered a knee high shot, which slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Sammy Adjei on duty for Hearts.

The first half was rather tame as both sides failed to exert any edge over the other, but it was Kotoko who showed more commitment and as they contested every ball with great zeal while the approach of Hearts players was lukewarm.

Sammy Adjei had to dive full length in the 4th and 22nd minutes to save Hearts from going down in the first stanza. At the other end Joe Hendricks cleared off the line from Adjah Tetteh with Osei Boateng out of sight. Stephen Tetteh, arguably the pivot of the Hearts defence took a knock in the 30th minute and was substituted by Dan Oppong who proved a worthy substitute.

In the second half the Kumasi lads raised the tempo of their game and mesmerised the Hearts defence persistently with Lawrence Adjei, Shilla Alhassan and Godwin Ablordey riding high in attack. At the other side, Ishmael Addo and Osei Kuffour on whose shoulders a Hearts victory hung remained anonymous and insignificant as they were swallowed by the tight defensive formation of Joe Hendricks, Kwaku Dua, Dan Acquah and Godferd Yeboah.

On the 50 minute mark, Nana Frimpong headed wide when he was set up by Godwin Ablordey and soon after that Hearts pushed forward and threatened Kotoko but Ishmael Addo was robbed of the ball by Joe Hendricks. And when Lawrence opened the scores on the hour mark, it served as a rude awakening for the Phobians who changed from their adagio formation to fast attacking options.

Charles Taylor had the first chance to cancel Kotoko's lead but he shot tamely at Osei Boateng in goal for Kotoko. Don Bortey, who immediately initiated a move from the left flank from which Ishmael Addo cancelled Lawrence Adjei's leader, replaced him.

A minute later Kotoko had another opportunity to restore their lead but Shilla Alhassan shot at goal from an impossible angle while a horde of Kotoko attackers waited in the penalty box.

Hearts nailed the coffin on Kotoko with another Ishmael Addo goal after Don Bortey had sliced through the Kotoko defence and exchanged passes with Adjah Tetteh and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour before setting up the scorer. Hearts could have increased the tally a minute to full time but Bortey shot wide when in a very good position to score.

At the end of the game some aggrieved Kotoko fans went wild and destroyed many plastic chairs at the Ade Coker stand, while others hurled bottles and stones onto the inner perimeter.

The police responded by firing five canisters of teargas in to the stands.

At least 117 dead in Hearts-Kotoko match - Hospital sources

Accra, May 9, GNA - At least 117 soccer fans died on Wednesday during a stampede after the Hearts and Kotoko titanic Star Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium, sources at four hospitals told the Ghana News Agency. The 37th Military Hospital an officer said 102 had been confirmed dead as at 22:00 hours, Ridge Hospital nine at 21:00 hours, Police Hospital five at 21:50 and Trust Hospital one at 22:30 hours. Dr Afriyie, Director of the Police Hospital said five were dead and 11 injured. At the Ridge Hospital, Mr Peter Mensah, Hospital Administrator, said nine were confirmed dead but could not say how many were injured. The OPD was converted to an emergency ward where benches served as beds and 18 victims were receiving drips. Some appeared to be in critical condition as they could not even talk or open their eyes. There were six people on oxygen at the Emergency Ward while 30 others, with various degrees of injuries, were being treated at the Surgical Ward. Dr Andrew Kumah, who was drafted from the Korle BU Teaching Hospital, said the majority of the victims at the Surgical Ward had fractures and needed pain killers to reduce their suffering. The incident occurred after Hearts 2-1 victory and some aggrieved Kotoko fans went wild and destroyed many plastic chairs at the Ade Coker Stand, while others hurled bottles and stones onto the inner perimeter. The Police responded by firing canisters of teargas into the stands, which led to a stampede resulting in the death of the fans. Prior to the match security was beefed up apparently in an attempt to avert what happened in South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cote D'Ivoire. In all these cases, the incidents occurred during soccer matches between the two top teams in those countries. The death toll in Ghana happens to be the highest in all the cases. Meanwhile, over 20 doctors and 30 nurses from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have joined the medical teams in an effort to give the victims adequate attention. The hospital was jammed with anxious relatives, who were going from ward to ward trying to locate their family members or friends.

About 400 pieces of plastic chairs destroyed

Accra, May 9 GNA - About 400 plastic chairs were destroyed at the Accra Sports Stadium after the Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko Star Premier League encounter on Wednesday. Apart from the chairs there were no visible damage to other fittings at the stadium, which was deserted when the Ghana News Agency paid a visit there at 22:00 hours.

Stranded relatives wait for news on their relatives, and it could be grim

Accra, May 9, GNA - Desperate family members and sympathisers seeking the whereabouts of their relatives thronged the Ridge, 37th Military and the Police Hospitals late Wednesday evening giving security personnel and medical staff a hectic time. At least 117 people are feared dead and a lot more injured after a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium. Anxious family members were not in the mood to listen to pleas from medical staff to calm down for the situation to be brought under control before any identification could be made. At the Ridge Hospital where the Out Patient Department has been turned into an emergency unit, the Chief of Staff, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey had to physically restrain the crowd as they pushed their way into OPD. While some were still waiting to hear the condition of their relatives, a woman broke down and collapsed when she identified the only lady among the nine dead as her relative. The situation was a bit under control at the 37th Military Hospital due to heavy military presence. Here the Chief of Staff, who had come to check the situation, broke down as he saw the dead numbering about 102 piled up at a temporary place waiting to be sent to the mortuary. The crowd that had gathered blamed the Police for their indiscriminate use of the teargas on helpless fans, who pleaded in vain for them to stop firing when the stamped started.

Kufuor, Aliu, Ministers visit 37th Hospital

Accra, May 9, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, Vice President Aliu Mahama and several senior Cabinet Ministers visited the 37th Military Hospital which took most of the pressure of the stadium tragedy. The Government Spokesperson Ms Elizabeth Ohene said the President is "totally devastated." She said the President has scheduled an emergency Cabinet meeting for Thursday to discuss the tragedy. Joy FM reported that the President has demanded a full briefing on the tragedy. It also quoted the President as asking the 37th Military Hospital to begin the process of identifying the bodies and informing relatives. At the last count 117 sports fans were confirmed dead in a stampede after Hearts of Oak Asante Kotoko Premier League Football match on Wednesday.

Government will probe stadium tragedy - Obetsebi-Lamptey

Accra, May 9, GNA - The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey has described Wednesday evening's stadium incident in which 117 soccer fans died as "a great national tragedy" adding that a commission of enquiry would be set up to probe it. A GNA count showed that at least 117 soccer fans died in a stampede when police fired teargas to control hooligans from a section of the stands at the Accra Sports Stadium after a premier league match between Asante Kotoko football club and their arch rivals, Accra Hearts-of-Oak. Hearts won 2-1.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey visibly shaken by the horrible tragedy appealed for calm saying citizens should remain by their radio sets for announcements instead of trooping to the hospitals to look for relatives. "It's a night for us to mourn and not a night for impatience and anger," said Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, who almost broke down at the sight of a line-up of corpses at the 37th Military Hospital.

Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Minister for Media Relations, who also turned up at the hospitals, described the incident as horrific and terrible and called on the nation to rally behind the families of the victims. Apparently commenting on accusations and blame for the tragedy, Miss Ohene said it was premature to apportion blame.

Casualty toll from stadium tragedy up

Accra, May 10, GNA - One hundred and twenty-six soccer fans have been confirmed dead following Wednesday evening's stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium during the Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and their arch rivals, Asante Kototo Football Club.

More than 50 persons are also on admission but in stable condition at the various hospitals.

Hospital sources told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that there were 102 bodies at the 37th Military Hospital; 13 at the Ridge Hospital; six at the Police Hospital; three at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and one each at The Trust Hospital and La Polyclinic. The stampede occurred when Police fired teargas into the stand where supporters were pealing off plastic chairs. Mr Kwabena Agyapong, Deputy Government Spokesman, said on Thursday that arrangements for identification of the bodies would begin soon after the hospital authorities have completed post-mortem examinations. The Government has solicited the assistance of the Military to control the identification process, which is expected to be emotional and appealed to relatives to exercise restraint and to cooperate. Mr Agyapong, in an interview with Joy FM, said religious groups have been contacted to participate in counselling and consoling traumatised relatives.

"It is important that we should console them and pray for them and make them feel that they are not alone at this tragic moment." He said a Secretariat would be opened this morning as a hotline for families whose relatives were at the stadium and had not returned home. Mr Agyapong, who said he was at the stadium during the match, expressed shock at the heavy toll. President John Agyekum Kufuor, who visited the 37th Military Hospital appealed for calm and scheduled an emergency Cabinet meeting for Thursday morning. He has cancelled all official engagements and is scheduled to address the nation later in the day. Reports say a few vehicles are still at the precincts of the stadium and are believed to have belonged to some of the victims. The Inspector- General of Police, Ernest Owusu Poku said he has set up an internal probe into the tragedy. "I can assure you that no Police officer will be shielded," the Police Chief said, adding that details of the probe report would be made public as soon as it was ready.

The Ghana Football Association and Ghana League Clubs Association are holding an emergency meeting to decide whether to postpone the weekend's league matches.

Meanwhile, Mr Harry Zakour, Chairman of Accra Hearts-of-Oak said early Thursday that about 20 Muslims among the victims were being buried immediately. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has suspended his tour of the United Kingdom and United States to sympathise with the bereaved families. The Asantehene, who was speaking during a visit to the 37th Military Hospital, said soccer is played for fun and all should be done to make it safe. He donated 20 million cedis to the Hospital. The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Odoi Sykes on behalf of the party expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He donated 10 million cedis to the Hospital on behalf of the Party.

Olympics consoles families

Accra, May 10, GNA - The Management, Board and Patrons of Accra Great Olympics football club on Thursday sent a message of condolence to families of perished soccer fans.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr R.O. Solomon, Chairman of the club said "Olympics was greatly shocked and deeply sadden at the news of the death and injuries suffered by some spectators after the match at the Accra Sports Stadium".

"We wish the injured a speedy recovery and an early return to their normal lives".

The statement expressed regret that in spite of the calls made by officials of both clubs to their respective supporters to avoid acts that might lead to violence, "this disaster nevertheless found its way into our football records".

It expressed the hope that club administrators would soon find an antidote to acts of violence that mars the beauty of the game. One hundred and twenty-six soccer fans have been confirmed dead following Wednesday evening's stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium during the Star Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and their arch rivals, Asante Kototo.

More than 50 persons are also on admission but in stable condition at the various hospitals. Hospital sources told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that there were 102 bodies at the 37th Military Hospital; 13 at the Ridge Hospital; six at the Police Hospital; three at Korle Bu and one each at The Trust Hospital and La Polyclinic.

The stampede occurred when Police fired teargas into the stand where supporters were pealing off plastic chairs.

SPO 11 Sport-Soccer-Stampede Soccer officials meet to take decision on future of league Accra, May 10, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ghana League Club Association are meeting in Accra on Thursday to take decision on the future of the Star Premier League.

A source told the Ghana News Agency that the meeting would take a look at the tragedy that occurred at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday evening where 121 people, according to official count, died. Scores of soccer fans were trapped during a stampede after angry fans at the Ade Coker Stand where Kotoko supporters were hurled broken bottles and plastic chairs at the security personnel on duty. The police reacted by firing teargas leading to the stampede. Hearts won the match 2-1.

Meanwhile, the Stadium security personnel have denied that at the time of the incident the stadium gates were locked. "The gate, which leads to the stands, is rather too small and during a situation like this, people would definitely be trapped", they told the GNA. The Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Brigadier George Brock was not available for comment.

Star Premier League postponed

Accra, May 10, GNA - The Star Premier League has been postponed indefinitely, a Ghana Football Association (GFA) source told the GNA in Accra on Thursday.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting between the GFA and the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) following Wednesday's stampede resulting in the death of 121 spectators, according to official count. Scores of soccer fans were trapped during a stampede after angry fans at the Ade Coker Stand where Kotoko supporters hurled broken bottles and plastic chairs at the security personnel on duty. The police reacted by firing teargas leading to the stampede. Hearts won the match 2-1. Meanwhile, the Stadium security personnel have denied that at the time of the incident the stadium gates were locked.

One may ask whether Ghanaians have learnt any lesson from this tragedy and what is being done to ensure that a similar thing never ever happens in this beloved country of ours? 9 May 10