Ghanaians End Three Days of National Mourning

Several hundred mourners including Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor attended a memorial service at the forecourt of the State House on Sunday to remember 127 soccer fans that died in a stampede at the Accra stadium 9 May.

The service was held to climax three days of national mourning declared by the government in the aftermath of the tragedy which also left more than 50 people injured.

Clad in a Kuntunkuni (mourning outfit) and traditional sandals, Kufuor laid a wreath in memory of the victims and addressed the solemn gathering, paying tribute to the victims and appealing for calm.

He urged Ghanaians to foster a sense of unity, fellowship and solidarity to overcome the tragedy.

"That is our tradition, our way of doing things and there is no reason to abandon such a virtue," Kufuor, said as he invited the mourners and sympathisers, including government officials diplomats, football fans and bereaved families to observe one minute silence for the deceased.

He said the catastrophe was too enormous for people to understand, adding, "many have cast their eyes around looking for something or anything to which they could direct their dismay and anger".

This, he said has resulted in violent incidents in some parts of Accra leading to the spread of fear, insecurity, wanton destruction of property and general condemnation of the Ghana Police Service.

"It is important that we do not reject a vital institution of state simply because it has failed to function properly on a number of occasions."

"We should rather use the sad occasion to try and transform and reinvigorate the Service to meet our needs and expectations," Kufuor stressed.

He said the time for the healing process has begun, and as such Ghanaians should come together and resolve that never should their acts or omissions allow such a disaster to befall the nation again.

Kufuor said the eyes of the world have been on Ghana since the episode, watching to see how solid and resilient the society is and whether it could withstand the strains of this adversity.

"I know we can, and I know that with your support and fortitude, we shall emerge from this dark night to a stronger and more united country."

The clergy, drawn from various religious groups, prayed for the injured, bereaved, health practitioners, the security services and the government.

The Ghana Armed Forces Central Band sounded the last post while the congregation sang: "Abide with me".

An Accra Sports Stadium Disaster Fund was launched at the ceremony to assist dependants and relatives of the deceased.

Meanwhile, there has been a heavy prejudice against the police by a section of the public who blamed the policemen deployed at the stadium for triggering the stampede when they fired teargas to ward off some hooligans who were throwing plastic chairs and stones onto the field of play.

The incident happened during a premier league match between the country's leading clubs - Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. Hearts won 2-1.