Former Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer Herbert Mensah has described the 2001 May 9 disaster as an event that changed his life forever.

The catastrophe unfolded amidst a heated match between longstanding rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Tensions escalated when irate supporters, incensed by a contentious referee decision, resorted to hurling bottles and assorted objects onto the pitch.

In response to the escalating chaos, law enforcement authorities resorted to the use of tear gas, exacerbating the already volatile situation. As panic gripped the stadium, the decision was made to seal the gates, unwittingly triggering a catastrophic stampede.

Twenty-three years since the harrowing events of that fateful day, Herbert Mensah, now a prominent figure in Ghanaian sports, released a poignant statement to honor the memory of the lives lost and the enduring scars left by the tragedy.

"Having been there and been involved in all that happened has changed my life, and I believe it has changed the lives of all those who were and have been closely involved," an excerpt said.