I’m yet to see copy of May 9 disaster report – Dep. Sports Minister

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Vincent Oppong Asamoah has disclosed that he is yet to see a copy of the Okudzeto Commission report on the May 9 disaster, even though he has spent close to three years at the ministry.

That nonetheless, he says, the ministry has put in place adequate measures to avoid a recurrence of the sports tragedy that claimed many lives.

More than 100 people lost their lives in a stampede during a football match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports stadium in 2001.

Speaking to Henry Asante Twum on Extra Time on Starr 103.5FM Saturday, Mr Oppong Asamoah said even though the ministry has significantly improved conditions at the various stadiums in the country, there must be a conscious effort by all stakeholders to ensure that the 'May 9' experience never occurs again.

“I haven’t seen the report, I haven’t sighted it but this happened about 14 years ago and just after that there was massive renovation of the Accra sports stadium and I’m sure the various recommendations were factored in the renovation of the stadium.

“I am sure the cameras and other things have been fitted but I think they should not be limited to the Accra stadium alone, they should be installed in all stadiums across the country.

“ …It’s always good to be talking about occasions like the May 9 disaster so that as a nation we can learn our lessons from them,” he noted.