Sport Ministry bemoans rising spate of violence at Stadiums

Accra, Oct 16, GNA - The government has expressed concern about the growing phenomenon of violence on the part of spectators during and after football matches.

In a statement signed for the Minister of State in charge of the Education Youth and Sports Ministry, it said that government completely abhors the situation and would soon initiate moves in conjunction with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the National Sport Council to punish offending clubs.

The statement continued that the Ministry would now start arresting perpetuators of such violent acts as they would now be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

It added that government would consider using any relevant action that will be bring sanity into the organization of the game of football in the country.

"Ghana is a democratic country and I wish to inform all football clubs and organizations in the country as well as individual supporters or identifiable bodies not to take the law into their own hands but rather resort to the status of the GFA to have their grievances resolved."

The statement said Government in this respect is also appealing to the good conscience of all the various bodies involved in the game to ensure that sanity prevails at all times.

The government reminded supporters who throng to the various stadiums of the recent spate of violence in some African countries which resulted in the lost of innocent lives after world cup matches. It said the government would beef security at all league centers to nip in the bud any incident that is likely to develop into violence and disturbance.