Persons with physical disabilities (PWDs) joined other sports fans and Ghanaians, in general, to mark the 20th year anniversary of the Accra stadium disaster that claimed over 126 lives after a soccer game between eternal Ghana football rivals Accra Hearts of oak and Asante Kotoko on May 9 2001.
The PWDs, Ashanti region chapter, joined Herbert Mensah, former Chairman of Asante Kotoko and the founder of the May 9 charity foundation in Kumasi to remember the historically sad day in Ghana’s football history and also to share memories of the day.
The occasion also brought smiles to the faces of the persons with disabilities who received donations of food items, cash, wheelchairs and other walking aids to make their lives more comfortable.
Although the May 9 foundation started with the aim of directly supporting those affected families of the Accra stadium disaster to cope with their loss and pain, it has now expanded its charity activities to cover other needy groups such as persons with physical disabilities, fire victims, flood victims as well as sick children in need of medical assistance and alleviation of their suffering.
The persons with physical disabilities have over the years taken part in yearly activities organized by the May 9 foundation to mark the yearly remembrance of the Accra stadium disaster.
According to Mr. Herbert Mensah and his team, the PWDs are a major part of the work of the charity foundation since they fall under a marginalized section of our society and they remind Ghanaians of the suffering of neglected segments of the society such as families of victims of disasters.
In previous years, the PWDs joined street walks in their wheelchairs through the principal streets of Kumasi with May 9 remembrance organizers to remind Ghanaians of the gory sports incident.
Due to the Covid-19 safety protocols imposed by government, the street walks have not been possible for the last two years.
According to the organizers, the May 9 charity foundation plans to launch a photo book this year to capture memories of the organization’s charity activities over the past 20 years. The book will be in both digital and hard copy forms.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the stadium disaster this year, the team will also be granted audience with President Nana Akufo Addo who has been described by Herbert Mensah as ‘’the only President of Ghana who understands sports’’.
The meeting with President Nana Akufo Addo will also be the first official recognition of the work of the private charity foundation for the past 20 years and is encouraged to do more for under privileged in society.
More than 126 Ghanaians died after Police fired teargas resulting in a stampede at the Accra Sports stadium after a game involving the nations eternal rivals Hearts Of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Benjamin Yamoah