President Akufo-Addo has assured Herbert Mensah and executives of the May 9 Foundation that his administration will offer them it’s support to ensure that it goes about its activities aimed at supporting the families of the victims of the May 9th Accra sports stadium disaster.
President Akufo-Addo gave this assurance when he received a delegation from the foundation at the Jubilee House today. The meeting was the first of its kind between a sitting President, the foundation and surviving families of the victims of the disaster throughout its twenty (20) year history.
On the 9th of May 2001, over one hundred and twenty-seven (127) football fans lost their lives through a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium when Police discharged teargas in an attempt to disperse the fans at the stadium who were protesting poor officiating during a match between rival clubs, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.
Addressing the team at the flagstaff house the president was full of appreciation to the team for constantly commemorating the day and assured the May 9th foundation of his support.
“The human beings can never come back but we can always remember them, I’m intrigued by the idea that the” May 9 Foundation” has gone beyond football, that you have embraced the wider social space by including flood and fire disaster victims. This is a huge undertaking and you need a lot of courage and capacity to be able to carry out that work. You will have the modest support that this administration will be able to give you, i can promise you that” President Akufo-Addo stated.
“The Minister for Sports is working on a package we can work out on our side to continue the assistance soon, he will be engaging with you on that” President Akufo-Addo added.
Herbert Mensah, Founder and leader of the “May 9 Foundation” in his remarks noted that the Foundation is extremely grateful to the President and his administration for the recognition afforded them by inviting them to the seat of Government. He indicated that the foundation has decided to enlarge its scope of work to offer assistance to Ghanaians who may be affected by other natural disasters other than the May 9 tragedy.
“In twenty years, this is the first time that a sitting President of the Republic has recognized what it is that we are doing. In twenty years, Mr. President, you are the first President to spent time from a very busy schedule, we understand the affairs of State. We understand the difficulties of being in COVID, the difficulties in trying to resuscitate things in this very difficult time which many people perhaps do not understand, but we do and we appreciate even the few minutes of your time” Herbert Mensah said.
Present at the meeting was the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Madam Frema Opare Addo and Youth and Sports minister, Ussif Mustapha.
More than 126 Ghanaians died after Police fired teargas resulting in a stampede at the Accra Sports stadium after a game involving the nation’s eternal rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
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