The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu I on Thursday visited the 37 Military Hospital and donated 20 million cedis towards the management of victims of the Wednesday's stadium tragedy. Government officials say 121 soccer fans died in the stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium when riot police fired teargas in reaction to hooliganism from a section of spectators. At least 53 injured persons are also on admission at various hospitals but are in stable condition.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu who was scheduled to travel to the United States also announced that he was putting the trip on hold in order to mourn with the relatives and friends of the disaster, the biggest in the country.
He told Brigadier Dan Twum, Director of Medical Services at the military hospital, that he was touched by the news of the tragedy. "Football is for entertainment but Wednesday's has been tragic."
Otumfuo, who is the life patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, expressed regret about the high casualty rate. "Both teams belong to me. The nation has lost resources through the death of these young people".
He asked the government to probe the incident and use the findings to forestall its recurrence. Ghana, he said, should remain united at this crucial moment.
Brigadier Twum expressed appreciation for the Otumfuo's gesture saying the money would be used satisfactorily.
The ruling New Patriotic Party, led by its Chairman, Samuel Odoi-Sykes also called at the hospital to donate 10 million cedis for the upkeep of the victims.
The party expressed its condolences to the bereaved relatives.
Mr Odoi-Sykes regretted the incident and called for more professionalism in future riot control. He thanked the doctors and other supporting staff for their prompt response to the disaster.
