‘Strong’ steps taken by GFA to improve security at stadia

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reiterated its commitment to educating football fans on the laws of the discipline in order to get them law-abiding.

The police is also being partnered in identifying hot spots during football matches.

These were contained in a statement released to mark 13 years of the country’s worst stadium disaster.

That disaster, which occurred on May 9, 2001, resulted in the death of 126 football fans at the Accra Sports Stadium.

“Thirteen years later, the Ghana Football Association still mourns with the families of the 126 football fans who lost their lives at the Accra Sports Stadium and the deaths of that day are seared on our consciousness,” the statement signed by Kwesi Nyantakyi, the GFA President, said.

According to the statement, the disaster was a call to action for the football-governing body in especially ensuring that there is not a recurrence of such disaster.

“With expanded background checks, effective policing and tougher penalties for violent acts, the GFA has taken strong steps to improve security at our matches,” it said.

“We will continue to engage the police in identifying hot spots during matches and we will forge ahead with our plans of educating fans on the laws of the game and to be law abiding.”

The GFA by the statement paid tribute to “these fallen friends of ours”.

A wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Accra Sports Stadium in honour of the departed souls.