On May 9, 2001, tragedy struck at the Accra Sports Stadium during a high-stakes Ghana Premier League clash between arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
What began as a heated football match ended in disaster when disgruntled fans, enraged by the result, began tearing up seats and hurling them onto the running tracks.
In a bid to restore order, police responded with tear gas, triggering panic and a devastating stampede. The aftermath was horrific , 127 lives were lost, marking the darkest day in Ghanaian football history.
The nation was left in mourning, and urgent reforms were promised to ensure such a tragedy would never occur again.
In the years that followed, commemorative events have been held annually to remember the victims and reflect on the progress made in crowd control and stadium safety.
The May 9 Disaster Trust Fund was also established, with the aim of supporting the families of the victims and implementing preventive measures.
Each year, the occasion serves not only as a time of remembrance but also as a call to action to protect lives at sporting events across the country.
