Accra, May 8, GNA - Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister of Youth and Sports has reiterated Government's stand to enforce for tougher actions against persons whose actions lead to disaster at the various stadia.

"The government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has a policy of ensuring that the right structures are put in place to stem the tide of stadium overcrowding, hooliganism and lawlessness that characterize major soccer matches particularly those involving Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko."

Alhaji Muntaka, who made this remarks this in a message to mark the 8th Anniversary of the May 9 Stadium Disaster said his outfit has sent a clear signal to the National Sports Council (NSC), managers of the various stadia in the country to instill a sense of total discipline during matches.

One hundred and twenty-seven fans lost their lives as a result of a stampede during a Premier League match between Hearts and Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra and the Sports Minister said "We owe it a duty to those who perished to put in place lasting mechanisms that will forestall future occurrences."

Alhaji Muntaka expressed concern that the overcrowding that characterised a league match involving the two clubs leading to the death of four fans is an indication that some lessons have not been learnt.

"The security agencies have been mandated to arrest all manner of persons who take the law into their hands during such matches in a bid to make unjustifiable profits. "The safety of football supporters cannot be exchanged for a song and a dime".

Alhaji Muntaka stressed that adequate security, adherence to laid down ticketing procedure, limiting match attendance to the official stadium capacity as well as instilling a sense of responsibility in supporters among others as some of the solutions towards preventing future occurrences.

The Minister took the opportunity to send his condolences and that of the Government to the families of the four persons who died at the Baba Yara Sports stadium and prayed that 'May their Souls Rest in Perfect Peace'.