Former Asante Kotoko Board Chairman Herbert Mensah is leading the 25th commemoration of the May 9 Disaster in Kumasi this week, marking a quarter-century since Africa’s deadliest stadium stampede claimed 126 lives at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9, 2001. The event will involve prayers, gatherings, and travel from Accra, drawing attention to unresolved questions surrounding investigations, justice, and stadium safety reforms.
A Solemn Anniversary
The commemoration, a tradition Herbert Mensah has upheld for 25 years, is expected to draw significant crowds in Kumasi. This year’s event includes an expanded focus, with 100 to 200 individuals traveling from Accra to participate. Global interest in the tragedy is also being amplified, with the BBC currently producing a documentary on the disaster.
“It’s something we’ve been doing for 25 years, so it will be a repetition of what we do, except for more families will be involved. We have some guests from overseas who will be involved. The BBC are running a whole documentary on it this week,” Mensah told Luv FM.
Lingering Questions of Justice and Safety
Two decades after the horrific stampede during a match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, discussions surrounding the thoroughness of investigations, the pursuit of justice, and the implementation of effective stadium safety measures remain pertinent. Mensah described the process of seeking closure and reform as continuous.
“There is a lot of interest over the 25 year period as to what is Ghana’s position is. How did we handle the investigations? Was a sense of justice and closure brought by what infrastructure changes were brought. It’s a constant assessment. There’s no full stop,” he stated.
Mensah acknowledged that while the world has progressed in terms of safety and crowd management over 25 years, incidents like the one involving Pooley last year, where crowd control issues arose, are disheartening. “When you have situations like what happened with Pooley last year, then it saddens people that people still cannot control themselves in stadiums, but the world has moved on in 25 years,” he added.
Support for Affected Families
The commemoration extends beyond remembrance to providing tangible support for families impacted by the tragedy. Mensah shared poignant stories of widows and children who have grown up navigating life in the shadow of the disaster. He highlighted the case of Rani in Accra, a Hearts of Oak supporter who lost her husband as a teenager and whose son, who never met his father, has recently graduated and is seeking assistance.
“So there are a lot of beautiful stories of children, some occasionally even baby grandchildren, mothers and people who are still in touch with us. We’re in touch with them,” Mensah said, underscoring the long-term commitment to these families.
From Tragedy to Philanthropy
The initiative born from the May 9 Disaster has evolved into significant charitable work. Mensah serves as the secretary for the Shen Yang and Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation. This foundation has been instrumental in funding life-saving surgeries for over 110 children at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the past 15 months, offering hope and critical medical intervention for families facing congenital heart conditions.
Looking Ahead
As Kumasi marks this solemn anniversary, the focus remains on honoring the victims, supporting their families, and reinforcing the urgent need for continued vigilance in stadium safety. The ongoing efforts by Mensah and associated foundations demonstrate a commitment to learning from past tragedies and actively contributing to a safer future, while also addressing critical healthcare needs in the community.
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