The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah has appealed to Ghanaians to embrace the tenets of sportsmanship which envisages promoting peace, health, solidarity and national development.
He said they must therefore guard against any actions or inactions that could lead to sporting disasters in the country.
The Minister made this appeal during the commemoration of the 12th Anniversary of the May 9th Accra Sports Stadium disaster.
Hon. Afriyie-Ankrah stated that Peace was a necessary ingredient for national development and that it should be pursued constantly to avoid complacency and the setting in of chaos.
“We must emphasize and strengthen the things that bind us together as a nation and confront divisive elements that set the stage for rancor” he said.
Hon. Afriyie-Ankrah said that it was important for Ghanaians to appreciate that even though they belonged to different ethnic, political and religious groupings, they should not allow their inclination to cloud their sense of judgment especially with regards to the peace and stability of our country.
He called on Ghanaians to work diligently to ensure peaceful conditions before, during and after each soccer match or sporting activity.
Hon. Afriyie-Ankrah stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had not lost focus on the factors that contributed to the incident and that they had been working conscientiously to avert any future occurrence of this disaster.
He appealed to the supporters unions to educate their members not to resort to violence and wanton destruction of properties when they were in disagreement, but follow laid down procedures for arbitration and redress, adding that he believed that the collective effort by all stakeholders will ensure safety in all stadia at all times.
A Health and Safety Education seminar on Mass casualty preparedness was held for the various supporters unions by Dr Prince Pambo.
Four wreaths were laid at the May 9 Monument at the entrance of the Accra Sports Stadium. The first was laid by the Hon. Minister, followed by the Representatives of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and the Bereaved families respectively.
Source: MOYS PR DEPT (Larry George Botchway)