Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, says no soul should be lost due to negligence, lack of emergency and poor planning at various stadiums.
He said this during the 24th commemoration of the May 9, 2001, football disaster where 127 football fans at the Accra Sports Stadium lost their lives during a match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
A walk was held on Friday, May 9, 2025, with all stakeholders in the sporting fraternity coming together to remember departed heroes on the day.
There was also a wreath-laying ceremony which was attended by representatives of Hearts and Kotoko, as well as Ghana Football Association and Sports Ministry officials.

Speaking at the event, Mr Adams expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed that they found solace.
“Today, we remember not only the lives we lost but the lessons we swore never to forget. Never again should a soul be lost to negligence, poor planning, or lack of emergency response in our stadiums. We owe the victims and their families that much”, he noted.
The Minister went on to say that he had been informed that the victims’ children had received education, and that practically all of them had completed their tertiary studies.
Mr Adams stated that his outfit would soon ask the fund managers to fully account to ascertain the exact amount left in the fund to know the next steps.
Accra Hearts of Oak in a statement said: “This absence is still profoundly felt, and we pray that time continues to bring solace and strength to those they left behind.
“We also remember those who were injured and continue to live with physical and emotional scars of that fateful day,” the statement said.
Hearts of Oak further called on their fans to display good sportsmanship, respect their opponents and create an atmosphere of peace during and after games.
“We call upon all our fans to continue to be ambassadors of good sportsmanship. Let the spirit of Phobia be one of unwavering support for our team, respect for our opponents, and a commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
“Let the memory of those we lost on May 9, 2001, serve as a powerful motivation for us all to work together to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again in Ghana football,” the club said.
Kotoko, on the other hand, also mourned fans who lost their lives and expressed the commitment to stand against hooliganism at various match centres.
“24 years ago today, a thick dark cloud engulfed our country, not from flames but from the tragedy of losing 126 innocent lives to a stadium disaster.
“As we observe this day in grief, we will continue to mourn our fallen sons and daughters and forever stand against any form of violence at our match venues,” Kotoko said in a social media post.