"Let's Not Politicise Tragedy" -JAK

THE President, Mr J. A. Kufuor, has asked Ghanaians to ensure that they resist attempts by “fringe elements” who would want to politicise the tragedy that has befallen the nation.

In an address at the inter-faith service held yesterday at the forecourt of the State House in remembrance of the 126 people who died at the Accra Sports Stadium last Wedenesday, the President said Ghanaians should rather be united and ensure that the nation triumphs in its moment of grief and pain.

“This nation has come through many trying episodes and when we have triumphed, it has been because we have stood together as one people.

“What we need most at this time, is to foster a sense of unity, of fellowship and human solidarity and thereby overcome our predicament. That is our tradition, that is our way of doing things. And there is no reason to abandon such a virtue,” the President stressed.

President Kufuor reiterated his appeal to all Ghanaians to exercise maximum restraint during this trying moments and allow the proper procedures for the identification and punishment of all those found to be responsible for the unfortunate tragedy.

He said it is understandable that in these times of sorrow and pain, people would be angry and dismayed and this feelings have found expression in some violent incidents and wanton destruction of property in a part of Accra, in what looks like a general condemnation of the Police Service.

The President advised that much as people have a right to be angry for what has happened, it is important that Ghanaians do not reject the police, 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 Police Service to meet our needs and expectations,” President Kufuor advised.

The President was hopeful that the words of comfort and hope from the religious leaders would go some way towards restoring stability in the lives of all Ghanaians.

“This is the time for the healing process to begin; we owe it to the memory of the many young lives that have been needlessly lost in this tragedy,” he said.

We must stand together and resolve that never again, shall we, by our acts or omissions, allow such a disaster to befall this nation,” President Kufuor urged the gathering.

Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who chose to address the gathering in two local dialects — hausa and Dagbani — also advised Ghanaians not to allow the tragedy to disunite them.