11 May 2011
opinion
It is a shame that the tenth anniversary commemoration of the May 9 tragedy, during which 127 football fans died at the Ohene Djan Stadium, has been mired in political controversy.
It looks like the desire to be at the helm of political affairs in this country is goading some political activists, with very little knowledge of what they are supposed to do, to convince Ghanaians to give them another mandate, make it a point of infecting everything and anything in this country with their brand of infantile politics.
The tragedy is the third most horrible incident ever recorded in the name of global football. It is certainly not the kind of topic over which the people of this country should gloat about. If anything, the stadium tragedy should serve as a perpetual monument, calling attention to the need to do the right thing.
Obviously, the structure of the stadium, particularly, the construction of staircases at the north wing, where all the 127 deaths were recorded, coupled with a terribly wrong policing method employed by our peace officers at the stadium that night, and the riotous behaviour of thousands of football fans, contributed to the tragedy.
These causal effects, we are happy to recall, have already been addressed by the Okudzeto Commission that investigated the tragedy. As sportsmen, bereaved family members and, above all, football fans of this nation, our major concern is to work towards ensuring that such a tragedy never occurs again. This means educating football fans to appreciate the essence of sports.
As a timely reminder, sports aim primarily, at fostering friendship and solidarity with each other. While stressing on the role of followers of the game looking on their opponents as colleagues, rather than enemies, The Chronicle would like to believe that since the incident happened, our police personnel would have by now received proper training in the art of crowd control.
On such a solemn occasion, The Chronicle would like to urge all Ghanaians and friends of Ghana to remember the dead in our prayers. May the Almighty have mercy on their souls. Our thoughts go out to the bereaved.
In this country, where the cost of living is escalating by the day, it could be a harrowing experience to survive without the breadwinner.
That is why The Chronicle is happy with the announcement that all the 130 identified children of the deceased are being taken care of. According to Mr. J.S. Addo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the May 9 Disaster Fund, the Board is sponsoring the education of the orphans, four of who are now in university.
We laud the trustees for their dedication to duty, and appeal to philanthropists to continue to donate to the fund. The children of the deceased have a right to education, and it is the contributions of the living that would make that possible.
Though 10 years looks like a long time ago, the pain is still in the hearts of the bereaved. Physically, a monument has been raised at the Ohene Djan Stadium to serve as a constant reminder of the tragedy.
But, the most lasting monument would be for all of us to learn from the tragedy and ensure that never again, should a similar event occur in the cause of promoting sports in this country.
Sports is one of the most effective means of promoting friendship and togetherness. Let us stress on this positive aspect of promoting the event that ensures a sound mind in a sound body.
Never again should the tragedy that occurred 10 years ago be revisited.
AllAfrica – All the Time