Memorial Service for Stadium Victims

Vol. 3 No. 36 Tuesday May 15, - May 17, 2001 ¢1500 • £0.50 Memorial service for stadium victims

President Kuffuor pays his last respects to the 126 departed souls The Kotoko delegation arrive at the memorial service

Military officers and others pay their final respects Chiefs and Queen mothers were also there to pay their respects

Amil Awal Shaibu offers prayers for the departed ones Members of the diplomatic corp were well represented

Regional Minister Sheik I.C. Quaye in a chat with Herbert Mensah Joy FM had the opportunity to interview the Kotoko boss The only official mouthpiece Vol. 3 No. 36 Tuesday May 15, - May 17, 2001 ¢1500 • £0.50 Damirifa Due!

“No one can anticipate the time of disaster. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds caught in a trap, so are humans caught at a time of calamity, when it suddenly falls upon them.” [Ecclesiastes 9.17} Page 2 • Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17, 2001 In remembrance!

Wednesday May 9th 2001 and Hearts are the two biggest clubs in the country and irresponsible grounds of the people to be considered are taken into account. We comments and acts could easily confuse some supporters to act shall all make our opinions known and would hope to be able to influ- will never ever forget this day. I still wake up at night and early against their fellow Ghanaian. ence the final decision! in the morning and remember the afternoon rain, the match itself, the linesman’s flag, the poor officiating, the tear gas, the In the current dispensation such actions are totally out of place. Given Iimages of people jumping from great heights to escape the tear that it also occurred around the time of the anniversary "Kume Preko" The Stadium Disaster Fund gas, the confusion and the stampede, the injured and the dead, deaths I would hope that this would have reminded the Attorney- the club colours draped on the dead, the living and the hope. General of the need for that matter not to be forgotten! On Sunday the Government launched a stadium disaster fund with The hope came from one supporter alive but injured at the the first monies being donated by Ghana Telecom. The Government Military hospital. As I visited the wounded he called out to me also announced that all the families would be catered for by the and told me not to worry…he told me that but for the officiating The Police Government and that their medical bills as well as the sum of ¢2.5m things would have been different. He was concerned about the would be allocated to pay for the cost of funeral preparations! club and not his terrible injuries. He wanted to get out so that he With the recent attacks on the Police I think that the time has come could watch our next match. He believed the development and for us to look at ways of mending the broken bridges. They have Before the establishment of this fund we had been fully supportive of direction was right. I was astounded and could only keep my become the easy and obvious target for many and in many ways this the Joy FM fund, which was set up immediately after the tragedy. quiet! is understandable. The IGP has made it very clear of the fact that Indeed we had asked a number of organisations who had come for- there will be no cover-up. We must give him the opportunity to handle ward to donate directly to this fund. Collecting money for a worthy the matter as professionally as I am sure he will do! I am sure that cause can sometimes be easy but the disbursement can be tricky! Sunday May 13th 2001 those responsible will be exposed. We do need to move on and there There is a need for major decisions to be made and these include the is a need for leaders to start encouraging a situation where it can be establishment of Trustees to ensure that whatever is agreed in terms Last Sunday afternoon I attended a special inter faith service on the understood that the actions of a few policemen does not represent of disbursement and management is carried out. forecourt of the state House. The service was organised by the the entire Ghana Police Force. Whilst I cannot and will not condone Government to honour and remember the dead. The event was both the actions of those officers at the stadium that evening I think it At this stage the Joy FM management will have to decide on what to poignant and emotional for me and when I had to give a brief speech important to note that we now have an excellent relationship with our do with their fund which apparently has raised close to ¢200,000,000 I could hardly contain my feelings! force in Kumasi. We have not had the use of tear gas at the Kumasi (two hundred million cedis). There may be a strong case for incorpo- Sports Stadium during my tenure and I am sure that will be main- rating their fund into that of the government’s. There may also be a A brief summary of my speech is outlined as follows; tained. For our supporters I continue to ask for your patience and case for the Government appointing someone from Joy FM onto their understanding in these trying times! We will need to work together as own team, which will determine how the monies will be disbursed! "I am truly humbled to be here today. In making this short speech I Ghanaians for our total good and the Police are a part of this! would like to start by quoting Ecclesiastics 9 verse17. I wish to thank all the companies who have made the contributions they did. It shows the unique qualities that we have as Ghanaians. I "No one can anticipate the time of disaster. Like a fish caught in a have taken note and I hope that all do the same and realise that this cruel net or birds caught in a trap, so are humans caught at a time of is our future…our ability to work together in times of distress. Our calamity when it suddenly falls upon them. [Ecclesiastics 9 verse17] culture dictates that we care for every human being and this has been proven to be the case! "This is not a personal tragedy for Hearts or Kotoko: it is a national disaster for all of us. That is why the nation mourns and that is why the global football community is grieving and that is why we as indi- In the meantime… viduals can only weep more loudly. Public announcements from a section of Hearts supporters from "The death of 126 young men, women and children in circumstances, Nima that they were going to attack me were unfortunate. I was not which could and should have been avoided, is particularly personal worried but only saddened because they simply DO NOT represent and painful for me and for all the country. It is an unimagined tragedy, the views or feelings of the majority of their supporters. I have unsurpassed at the international level. The trauma of having to save received great support from a large number of them and I was the dead from the crush will haunt me forever. I still wake in the touched when some of the people I saved at the stadium (Hearts morning haunted by the events of that fateful Wednesday night. I car- supporters) came to congratulate me later. ried over twenty bodies and never for one moment considered whether they were Kotoko supporters or Hearts supporters. I only The violence that arose afterwards and the threats against me, knew them to be Ghanaian football supporters who may well be alive. Kotoko supporters in Legon etc. must be contained and stopped. I knew I had to try my best to save them. We all did what we could in Alhaji Grunsah once said that if people do not take care we could our own way on that fateful night. Sadly it was not enough! But that have a civil war, which could start from or between Hearts and does not diminish the tragedy. Lessons will have to be learnt to pre- Kotoko. An attack on Kotoko or me would be reciprocated before vent such a dreadful event from ever happening again. commonsense could take centre stage and peace must therefore be "Our thoughts are particularly with the families and friends. Those maintained before we reach this stage! young men, women and children, Hearts and Kotoko supporters alike, are in our hearts and in our minds. Just as we do not know how I am bitterly disappointed by the irresponsible statements made by the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so we do not some Hearts officials. Their public attempts to apportion blame are know the work of God who makes everything and takes everything both distasteful and irresponsible. If their actions and statements suc- away. ceed in motivating a small section of their supporters to take to arms then the consequences of the actions must be on their conscience "The 126 young people are gone, but they will never be forgotten!! forever! We at Kotoko harbour personal feelings which I believe would be counter productive and inflammatory to make public at this point and it is for this reason that we have and are keeping fairly silent Saturday May 12th 2001 on the specific behaviour of individual supporters before, on and after From the that infamous night! Maybe if either of them had had to participate in Whilst watching the English FA Cup between Arsenal and Liverpool I the body carrying of supporters and had been subject to the received a visit from a young Hearts of Oak supporter. He is a mem- IMMEDIATE suffering and sight of blood and dying supporters they ber of the famous/infamous Chapter O. He had been at the stadium would have tempered the statements they made on air! the night of the tragedy and he had seen us all working hand in hand Boardroom to try and save the living and removing the dead. I later saw him at Herbert Mensah I found the advertisements in one of the dailies at the weekend in the Military Hospital the same night. This young man restored a lot of which specific donations were being made only for the use of the my faith in soccer. Even though some people should know better but victims from Hearts very distasteful! I believe that it is also very dis- don’t this young man clearly did know better. It was a revelation to respectful and divisive to all of the dead! We have made sure that all hear this young Hearts of Oak supporter exhibiting the kind of objec- The Management of Sports in Ghana the companies, which came to us prior to Sunday made their commit- tivity that will ensure that we all get through this. He recognised the ments directly to the Joy FM stadium disaster fund irrespective of need (as we do) for us to come together to make things work. He I am so sad that this tragedy that we have now experienced may be who, the direct beneficiaries are! The fund is supportive and not a appeared to have the foresight to also recognise the need for the two the wake up call that is needed to put us on a programme to ensure profit centre for the families and therefore all affected would presum- teams to be seen to be working together in certain specific areas that we move forward, never return to this situation and start achiev- ably benefit equally! which would be of mutual benefit! He comported himself with class! ing the targets that we as a nation are more than capable of achiev- He surprised me by indicating that he saw me carrying closer to 30 ing! It is now time for the FA to move ahead. All over the world where we bodies and that he had visited some of the people saved to tell them have had stadium related disasters the league has quickly resumed. I fully sympathise with the Government’s position although I have I believe that this must be done with haste and that we must observe of how they were saved. He also pointed out that one lady in particu- been a little concerned about the time it has taken to move forward. lar had later died! all the protocols that go with the remembrance and respect to the Clearly the legacy of E.T. Mensah has meant that it requires a great dead and their families that is culturally and internationally accepted. deal of strength and clarity of mind to take over this Ministry. The man I would also ask the FA to consider a formulae of fund raising that I watched Arsenal lose to Liverpool in the FA Cup final. This is a has so violated this Ministry that it has to be fumigated to excess match they had won and only chose to lose! They outplayed Liverpool would ensure that specific monies could be raised and allocated from before we can truly move forward. It is not simply a question of our matches. I would like to propose that the FA and its affiliates throughout the match and missed when it would have been easier to replacing him as the Minister in charge. It goes further than this. score. including the Sports Council take a 50% reduction in their match fees. The clubs to support an educational and rehabilitation programme I believe that in the short term our sports should be handled in the My telephone did not stop ringing throughout the day. The need to be could then apportion the monies from this specifically for supporters following way. I believe there is a case for the establishment of a at base. in Sports Management Board that could be handled out of the Office of touch with as many affected families as possible was key! the President. This board would be tasked to manage, develop and I understand that whilst in BNI custody E.T. Mensah said that he was run sports in Ghana. I believe that this board could be chaired from going on hunger strike! He should be very careful because his keep- the office of the President and include a number of influential and Friday May 11th 2001 knowledgeable people who would be tasked with a specific area of ers might just take him seriously and stop sending him any food. Mr sports development. The members could be responsible for the fol- Mensah must understand that there are those who blame him for a This was a sad day. It was a day when the Muslims amongst the dead lowing areas; number of things and who have very little sympathy for him. From the were buried. They were buried as was their tradition and the after- Kume Preko deaths and including the mismanagement of Sports in noon service was attended by His Excellency President J.A. Kuffuor General policy, planning and finance, marketing and sponsorship, Ghana, he has been blamed for most things! The fact that the stadi- and His Excellency Vice President Aliu Mahama. Also in attendance soccer, boxing and athletics, other sports, the youth, the development um reports and the Gbadegbe reports were not acted on during his amongst others was Sheikh I. C, Quaye. There had been threats of of facilities. I would include two lawyers and two accountants on this tenure also confirms for most people his responsibility for the sad disturbance but this was not to be. Board to be able to relook at matters left (like the various probes and state in which Ghana finds itself. His sacking of Coach Dossena monies spent on the feasibility plans into a stadium at Prampram when he had set us on course to qualify for the World Cup and his The violent rampage by some of the youth in Nima was truly unfortu- etc!) manipulation of players into believing that if they did not play for his nate. It now appears that it was orchestrated and not representative club they would not be invited into the national team, is totally unfor- of the people in Nima at large! Their pain was understandable but the Although there are existing structures in place there is a need for givable. Indeed some of his assigns such as Afranie endorsed a resulting violence was not. The politicising of their feelings was also them to be redirected from a different platform. programme which as Minister he could have stopped but didn’t but truly wrong! which led to the current situation in which overaged players are used With respect to soccer the time has come for the Government to to win competitions etc! E.T. Mensah’s legacy is what we are living It was suggested that E.T. Mensah had been detained at the BNI move. I believe that they should present a number of candidates with today! headquarters on charges of incitement. The alleged acts of incite- (more than usual) to the Executive Council for consideration. Given ment in this manner are heinous and potentially destabilising. If they the seriousness of our recent tragedy it is important that the back- Fabulous – the greatest are true then E.T. Mensah has serious questions to answer. Kotoko Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17, 2001 • Page 7

Ghana mourns International news agencies storm Accra stadium victims ntil last Wednesday Kweku reportedly had his arrived in town to do some Yeboah left Accra for London Ghana was but a blip phone ringing the whole day news analysis of their own. last Monday to witness the FA Cont’d from page 3 on most international and at one time when CNN Led by Producer Diana Lucas Cup tie between Liverpool Unews channels, but all that wanted him to go live he had and anchor David Ampofo the and Arsenal. changed minutes after news to give up on them because team ‘ran riot’ in Accra over It may perhaps come as a of the disaster broke on his cell phone battery conked the weekend visiting the relief to him that he was not local television and radio out! And CNN, like blood- Military hospital morgue, the here to witness the frightening stations. hounds phoned an obviously Accra Stadium, interviewing spectre of bodies strewn eve- Indeed a couple of Ghanaians uninformed Kofi Coomson for victims as well as talking to rywhere at the 37 Military first heard the news from a rather hollow version of Herbert Mensah and Harry Hospital morgue. He returns loved ones abroad who were events. Zakkour. on Friday. shocked by a BBC breaking As the week came to a close One Ghanaian journalist left news report early Wednesday a two-man crew from M-NET’s out of all these though was evening announcing that over renowned investigative news popular sportscaster and jour- 100 people had died at the programme Carte Blanche nalist, Kwabena Yeboah. stadium. What was to follow next was both chaotic and orderly. In the midst of the chaos one news report filed by a one Catherine Nartey and posted on the CNN website men- tioned that President Rawlings was visiting hospitals in the capital to see the victims. Obviously someone at CNN was still in the last century. CNN of course later did a live report with BBC correspond- ent Kweku Sakyi Addo and several strings with GTV’s Francisca Ashietey-Odunton. BBC have not let Kweku off the hook and in hungry fash- ion sent down Ghanaian-born Ben Dotsei Malor to help ‘excavate’ any bit of news that was left for the nosy British Broadcasting Corporation. David Ampofo interviews Herbert Mensah for Carte Blanche Page 6 • Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17, 2001 Let’s belong to G7 not HIPC Dear Editor, clubs can learn from us. We which all supporters should Club financing has been must all know that the hold very dear to their an issue on my mind for responsibility for success is hearts. quite sometime now. I ours as supporters. I am confident that we will have almost always We pride ourselves with the see a City which we can bogged myself down on success of the club. The call ours, i.e., with every- this issue because it is success of the club is a thing therein if we can central to the develop- source of great pride to all organise one million sup- ment of our game. of us. Do we not have a porters. With this massive My concern is more about divine mandate to help our- support-base, we should my darling club, Kumasi selves in the things that not wait to be tagged HIPC. Asante Kotoko. Since we give us satisfaction? We I call on all and sundry to are the pacesetters it is have a part to play in this. get involved in the registra- important that we develop Whatever we do to help our tion exercise. We should Your Letters our game so that the other dear club is done for our- belong to the G 7 of football selves i.e. success for our clubs and not HIPC. Let us satisfaction. contribute to develop the club. Several jobs will be Kotoko must win DEVELOPING THE created when the Kotoko STRUCTURES City Project takes off. Rebuilding should move on Leadership has provided the league all fronts. Almost all the the vision for us and we Dear Editor, club at the Kumasi Sports structures being put in need to respond positively. I would like to congratu- Stadium. place are not mutually A positive response means exclusive. They should all registering in our numbers. late coach Ernst Hope lives in me like a forti- move side by side. We do Let us all help to make our- Middendorp and the entire fied building that my noble not necessarily need to win selves happy. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II playing body for their club will win this year’s the league before we devel- I will rest my case here by op a web site. urging all supporters of the splendid performances in league and win convincing- I do not blame those who club to heed to the clarion the off-season matches think that 13 year olds are had deserted our matches club and therefore they can call by either joining a developing web sites in and the club was slowly attract and retain the best CIRCLE, REGISTERING played a couple of months Germany and therefore dying. players in the world. Why BY MAIL or PAYING into ago most of which they Management should not Leadership has done eve- should we not provide the KOTOKO FC SPECIAL won. drum it home as an achieve- rything necessary about all finance so that we can posi- MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT ment. Management needs the basic things listed tion our club the way A/C No. 213556045 Now that there is positive commendation for all this above. The seventh which Manchester United fans SSB BANK LTD. change in the country, I because the world has to me is the most important have done for their club? KCB-KUMASI. become a global village requires the response of I am confident that it was Greetings to Kwadwo strongly believe that it will and Asante Kotoko needs SUPPORTERS. We have enthusiasm and love that Otchere-Duah and all other affect my darling club and to be represented on the to respond in order to bal- compelled supporters of supporters of the fabulous web. Management has ance the equation. What I Man ‘U’ to buy the shares club. people will see the emer- been proactive in this direc- mean is that we should of the club when it was ini- In the mean time… gence of a new Asante tion. I can only hope the respond to the call by man- tially floated. Why should I recall that about two to Kotoko and they will be people who make these agement. We are always we not learn from the Man three years ago, Mr. Kwame ugly noises do so out of acclaimed to have the U experience? I am confi- Gyasi ( School of greatly marvelled. envy. I will urge manage- greatest supporters in the dent that our club can reg- Administration) appeared The head coach has identi- ment to get back to the world. Demonstrably so, we ister at least one million on talking point with Alhaji basics because it is what should go on and supporters. I urge all sup- Jawula. Mr. Gyasi who hap- fied the shortcomings of the we need for success. The REGISTER. The contribu- porters to rise and be pened to be my lecturer players and is working tire- vital ingredients which form tions of our supporters are counted. said the "GFA should rid the basics are: Good lead- the most sustainable source lessly to minimise them if itself of the old guards who Joe Sam ership, Good Technical of financing for our CLUB. I ASSETS know so many skeletons in not see to their total eradi- direction, Enthusiasm of hope somebody comes out We may ask ourselves the the cupboard of each other cation. The efforts of the supporters, Publicity and to prove me wrong but until question, who owns the such that efficiency and openness, Development that time when I am proved stadium at Old Trafford? I effectiveness are impaired". coach in this direction had plans and Suitable financ- wrong I will hold very dear think it is the property of I will fully support his state- led to the encouraging per- ly. ing. Is the present manage- the idea that SUPPORTER Man U. It’s a pity that a club ment now. Strong leader- ment not displaying all FINANCING is the most of Asante Kotoko’s stature ship devoid of the antics of formances put up by the FABU-THE BEST! these? suitable source of financing cannot point to a park which the past is what we playing body. Let us not Ceejay Murphy The detractors should focus for our dear club now. the club can call its’ own. I require. forget that the coach took Circle 98 on issues. The enthusiasm Supporters of teams like am grateful to Otumfuo Kwasi Owusu-Bonsu as it is today is different Manchester United provid- Osei Tutu II for donating (11271) the team half way through Pankrono-Kumasi. from how it was three years ed finance for the club. The land for the Kotoko City Diamond Circle the first round of last sea- ago. Supporters of the club basics are in place for the Project. This is one project Akwatia. son’s league when the team’s performances were nothing to really write home Keep up the spirit about, yet at the end of the season, Kotoko managed a Dear Editor, been Kotoko’s waterloo for supporters, our indefatiga- all say a word of prayer for way quench the spirit. They respectable fourth position When the league was sometime now and to play ble management team and them. should keep up the spirit. despite some decisions about starting, many were the first match at a place it would have perhaps, The match against Tano those who were hunted where we hardly win or given credence to the ‘off- Bofoakwa was slightly Amoah Addae Michael taken against the club. by last season’s initial draw was enough to send season champion’ tag on marred by the heavy down- Tarkwa Maakro. Coach Middendorp’s knowl- horrible outings. In view mild shocks through the us. pour taking away the beau- edge of how the system of that though very confi- spines of the numerous After this, Obuasi Goldfields ty of the game. But all the operates here in Ghana dent of our team making Kotoko supporters. F/C also came to exhibit same, we were on target coupled with the reasonably great impact in this year’s Nevertheless, our players the stuff they were made of four times with one of the quality players he has at his league, I was extremely managed to put up a vin- but could not withstand the goals amazingly and incred- disposal will serve as the meticulous coming out tage performance to secure wrath of the Porcupine ibly disallowed. ingredients to take Kotoko with any conclusive pre- a point from Kaladan Park. Warriors. They went back Our players seem to have to the top as far as this sea- dictions to unduly inflate A point which brought quite home empty handed. rekindled the spirit of old. hopes only to inflate excessive joy that bright- However, I am not the least They have so far put up son is concerned. uncontrollable passion of ened the faces of all Kotoko enthused about the per- spectacular performances I would like to assure all supporters. supporters. That only went formance of Goldfields at that have seen them gather Kotoko fans and the vari- Of course, my expectations a long way to expose the all. I should be concerned seven points. It is not sur- ous Circles that the club will of good things to come extent to which the fever of because the team is in the prising at all that we jumped definitely win the league so actually drained away like the match had gripped eve- Ashanti Region and their onto the top spot of the they must throw their sup- water upon realising that rybody. The draw was in continued stay in the league league table. port heavily behind the club. our first league match was fact, very crucial to our will always brighten the for- It is my fervent hope that They should try and wit- against RTU at the grass- marching forward. A loss tunes of Kotoko. It would the trend we have set will ness every match of the less Kaladan Park. would have indeed demor- not be proper to see be maintained. I hope the Frank Asoa Obviously, that venue has alised the playing body, the Goldfields relegated. Let’s playing body will not in any- Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17, 2001 • Page 3

News Our Comment Ghana mourns stadium victims ment. Family members have By David Tagoe paid a minimum of ¢10,000 some police men who had days of national mourning he he President, Mr. to watch a league match come with the view to main- declared last Thursday fol- John Agyekum between Accra Hearts of Oak taining order amidst chants lowing the event. THE BLOOD IS ON Kufuor has stressed and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. of "we want soldier, we want In a statement that under- Tthe importance of not dis- With the police service now soldier". scores his call for the rejec- OUR HANDS II pensing with the services reeling under immense cred- But the president has advised tion of people who might Government Business and of the police for failing to ibility pressure, the military that despite their punctured want to exploit the mood pre- radually the bitterness and pain of losing so many function properly on a has found favour with the and badly damaged image, vailing in the country at the also Chairman of the funeral therefore been directed to sons of Ghana is paving way to a national soul number of occasions. people. what the police service needs moment to stir up divisive Committee, Mr. J. H. Mensah notify the Regional Ministers searching and the most immediate result is the call Since last Wednesday there At the Abossey Okai Central is transformation and reinvig- tendencies, Kufuor said, " spelt out the arrangements and some of the newly forG total unity. have been widespread con- Mosque where the muslim oration to enable it meet soci- this nation has come through that have been made for the The theme was made manifestappointed through the Districtnational non- Chief successful burial of the demnation of the police for casualties were laid in state etal needs and expectations. many trying episodes and denominational service held atExecutives the forecourts in orderof the forState the causing the death of 126 before burial last Friday, While calling on the public to when we have triumphed, it dead.House last Sunday which saw bothgovernment Christians to and be Muslims, able to able-bodied Ghanaians who angry youth chased away exercise maximum restraint has been because we have He- Ghanaians disclosed that of all the walks hospi - of lifemourn congregate with them. to wish the during the period of mourning stood together as one peo- talssouls that of handled our departed the situation ones well.In his solidarity message, the to allow the proper process ple". haveThere completedis no doubt withthat it theis only Board in an Chairmanatmosphere of of Kumasi unity for the identification and pun- At this crucial time, the presi- identificationand soberness and that embalming we can properlyAsante recollect Kotoko, Mr. what Herbert hap- ishment of all those found dent stated that the nation processespened and and carve families the path that to a Mensah,disaster-free in afuture. solemn mood responsible to take place, needs to cultivate a sense of wantThat to is bury why their we aredead most are atsaddened said the by circumstancescomments coming under Kufuor also advised the pub- unity, fellowship and human libertyfrom to certain do so. people and sectionswhich of the the 126 media lost tryingtheir lives to further create a wedge between Hearts and Kotoko as if lic, especially, members of solidarity to overcome this He announced that in offering could and should have been the events of last Wednesday and the unfortunate deaths the bereaved families to con- national predicament. He assistance to the victims, the avoided. portended to the spoils of war. sider it important to reject any remarked, " that is our tradi- government would shoulder "The 126 are gone but will In one newspaper which appeared on the newsstands yes- fringe elements that will seek tion, that is our way of doing the expenses to be incurred never be forgotten", Mensah terday, the lead story sought to paint Kotoko as the villains to politicise the tragedy. things. And there is no rea- by the people. concluded. in the matter when it is clear to all right-thinking persons He said the anger which the son to abandon such a vir- A thatmodest it was amount the over-reaction of ¢2.5 mil- of Earlierthe police Hearts plus ofthe Oak poor Board exit tragedy has inflicted on tue". lionmechanisms has also been in the promised stadium thatSecretary, caused Ernest so many Thompson fatali- Ghana is justifiable since the Kufuor said this is the time eachties. family by the govern- reading a message on behalf enormity of the castatrophe There is no doubt that there was some level of vandalism for Ghanaians to stand at the stadium, but it never deteriorated into direct con- is too much for mere mortals together and resolve never to frontation between the two supporter groups. Indeed the to comprehend. have a repetition of such a atmosphere of camaraderie that existed last Wednesday The president was speaking tragedy befall the nation between the two supporter groups was worthy of commen- at a National Service cere- again. dation. mony held at the Open Court The majority leader in parlia- It is thus unfortunate and irresponsible for some misguid- at the State house in memory ment and Minister for ed elements to try and point fingers at Kotoko. of the victims of the tragedy Prez Kuffour addressing the audience Cont’d on page 7 It is in the same vein that we are saddened by reports that and also to end the three a donation made by Hearts of Oak late last week was specifically meant to go to victims who had Hearts of Oak sympathies. Hearts have reportedly recapitulated but most of the major news media picked up the unfortunate codicil Otumfuo shocked by disaster to the donation and we must say that it was a most unfortunate comment. ...and Kaizer Chiefs too It seems some people with Hearts of Oak sympathies are trying their best to accuse Kotoko of causing the disaster ue to the sheer United States the next day. "Our thoughts and prayers who were injured a speedy because it was when their fans threw chairs that the police enormity of the Meanwhile the management are with you and the family recovery." reacted by firing teargas. This is no time to point accusing fingers, and it is impera- national disaster of Kumasi Asante Kotoko members who lost their loved tive that such inflammatory thought processes be nipped theD Asantehene Otumfuo continues to receive mes- ones. We also wish those in the bud before they manifest in actions that will further Osei Tutu II has postponed sages of condolence from shock an already stupefied nation. a planned visit to the United across the globe. South If pointing fingers was something to create waves over, then perhaps we could easily say those few Kotoko sup- States and Britain. Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs last porters were only taking a cue from their Hearts of Oak Nana Osei Tutu II broke the Friday faxed a message of colleagues who thought them how to destroy chairs when news to newsmen at the 37 condolence to Kotoko. We they lost to Kotoko in the Guinness Gala final. One action begets another. Military Hospital last reproduce in full the mes- Destruction of chairs is an ignominious action that Thursday, the very morning sage signed by Kaizer deserves unequivocal condemnation, so let us do so with- he was expected to travel. Motaung. out being partial about it. There was no discrimination in Otumfuo who made a cash "The entire Kaizer Chiefs terms of who died and who did not. Both clubs lost their beloved supporters, and that should be good reason to donation of 20 million cedis Football Club family received forge unity at this time of pain. to the victims also called for with shock and sadness the If there are some who do not understand the bigger picture national unity during these terrible news of the football of helping to restore our shaken national pride then maybe their friends should ask them to hold themselves in check. trying times. He has mean- stampede in Accra at the Their actions only inflame passions. And they must note while suspended his trip Hearts of Oak v Kotoko that what goes around; ALWAYS comes around. indefinitely. match on Wednesday night. We all have the blood on our hands so let no one play Nana Osei Tutu who is also "It was indeed another dark Asante Kotoko Express, P.O. Box 7298, the Life Patron and Spiritual day for Football History. Accra North • Tel: 763366 / 770568 • Fax: 770568 Head of Kumasi Asante "We send our deepest sym- E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kotoko.com Kotoko had arrived in Accra pathies to your club, the EDITOR: KOBINA ANDOH AMOAKWA on the day now better referred Football Association and Registered at GPO as a newspaper to as the Black Wednesday Hearts of Oak at this very dif- ISSN: 0855-3920 for his scheduled trip to the ficult time. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Page 4 • Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17, 2001

Ejisu Circle 89 of Kumasi meet on Circle 98 of Pankrono Thursday calling embers of Circle information. They are: Mr.

98 are being Emmanuel Buckman chair- reminded of the man, Kwabena Nyarko (Nfa circle’sM meeting that takes nni Agro) vice chairman, place every Thursday at the R/C Primary School at Mike Dentwi- General exactly 6:00pm. Secretary, Owusu Boateng

A variety of issues will be Eric (Ceejay) Welfare discussed so all members of Secretary on 051-70994, the circle are expected to be Oliver Acquah- Organising present in their numbers. Any of the following people Secretary and Ofori Tony can be contacted for further Desmond-024-361794.

Some members of Circle 89 of Ejisu Invicible Circle 80 of Ahwiaa, Kumasi to meet ll members of meeting on Thursdays All old and new members chairman King Jomo or the he executive mem- The Circle wishes to use this Circle 89 in 6.00 p.m. at Opanin Yaw are welcome. secretary Joe Amoateng. bers of Circle 80 of medium to congratulate our EJISU are Agyarko house, formerly For further information con- Tel. numbers Ahwiaa wish to army of players for their Areminded of their usual Yaa Asantewaa Nite Club. tact can be made with the 051-20198/20181. remindT all its members splendid performance in the and all Kotoko supporters within the area of their league so far. Bawku Circle 27 to meet meeting that will come off To coach Middendorp, we today at 4:45pm at the R/C otoko supporters in the team and the circle. say ‘ ayekoo’. Primary School. and around Bawku, The interim executive mem- For any further information Members are to make it a on the circle, the chairman, Garu, Pusiga, bers of the group are inviting point to attend and be well Misiga,K Zebilla, Pulimakom, new members to be at this prepared when coming. Brenya Vasco, Godfred Mogonosi, Kukungugu, week’s meeting to help make Issues to be discussed at Boateng vice chairman and Worikambo and Binduri will the group one of the best in the meting include the pro- PRO as well as Kwabena meet at their usual place the Northern sector of the posed trip to Cape Coast, Sarkodie-treasurer can be and time to hold discus- country. donation to the Otumfuo contacted on 051-70097. sions on the well being of All are cordially invited. Education Fund, Registration of new members as well as New members are always Circle 24 of Nkawkaw meet aon payment of dues. welcomed. Thursday Odorkor Asante Kotoko he following members supporters living in and is the Ebenezer Preparatory to encourage the members to fan club to meet of Circle 24 of around Nkawkaw to an emer- School behind the Ghana rejuvenate their commitment Nkawkaw, Mr. gency meeting this Commercial Bank. The time for ll supporters of to be part of the noble idea EmmanuelT Boateng Mumuni Thursday. the meeting is 4:00pm. The towards meetings to make the Asante Kotoko should call personally at H/ Mohammed, Mr. Osei Tutu, All members are kindly request- meeting day is always circle one of the strongest in Mr. Kwame Boamah and ed to come to Thursday’s meet- Thursday. in and around No. B152A/11 at Odorkor Hajiya are inviting all Kotoko ing. The venue for the meeting The main aim of the meeting is the Eastern Region. AOdorkor are being remind- waterworks just behind ed that the formation of Macroni house and ask of The Licensing Office Group meets tomorrow the fan club is on course. Adade (Moro Judas, former-

he Licensing their usual meeting tomor- Enterprise near the Great prompt. Every supporter who wants ly of I.M.S.) Office Group row. African Insurance Company Some of the executive Atonsu supporters to appeals to all its The meeting that will still Limited will start at 3:30 members still in charge meet on Saturday membersT to be present at take place at Paul Kyei prompt and end at 4:30 include Paul Kyei, Kofi Adu he Executive mem- they can register all the (Alhaji) and Francis. Any bers of the Atonsu members to be Kotoko card- body who longs for further supporters union holders. information can get in touch Twish to inform all Kotoko A general appeal goes to all with Francis on 760952 or supporters in and around contact any of the execu- Atonsu to attend their gen- supporters to be at the meet- tives. eral meeting tomorrow at ing ground and anybody with All members are hereby Groovy Spot S-Line junc- any information or want informed to be at the meet- tion, Atonsu. information can contact the ing for a very important There will be discussions on message from their the welfare of each member following numbers 051 Mr Kofi Adu alias Alhaji and Mr Paul Kyei of Kyei Baffour Enterprise Executives. of the group and also how 30675 or 051 30676. Asante Kotoko Express • May 15 - May 17 • Page 5

Opinion Kumasi laments stadium disaster injured and to the departed, human life and it is here that all that I can say is that they may the good Lord grant the role the police played died as martyrs especially for them a peaceful rest. comes into focus. Kotoko and I can assure AKOSUA FREMPOMAA – It If they knew that teargas them that Kotoko will capture is very sad for Ghana to lose canisters were used to dis- the league trophy to honour as many as 126 human lives perse crowds they should not them. because of football. It is ter- have used it in an enclosed JOSEPH E. SAMPSON – rible but I hope that the cul- area like the stands at the The scale of the disaster is prits would be brought to stadium. The police are there too great to recount. It has book after the Commission of to protect life and property never happened in the annals Enquiry set up by the and if they have failed to do of the country’s political his- President has finished with so then they should be pun- tory. May the dead rest in their work and would hope ished for their irresponsible perfect peace. again that they be dealt with action. I blame poor and bias offici- according to the dictates of As a member of the GFA ating as the root cause of the the law. when we meet what I will put disaster. The arrival of the new admin- across is that the police In such tension-packed Justice Addo istration has witnessed a Cecilia Anane should be well educated matches between two sides Alhaji Yahaya number of shake-ups in the about the role they should any indiscretion on the part various sectors of the coun- play in such situations. They of the referee was bound to he beautiful game of ating. try but not in sports. I think should also be re-trained in spark off trouble and possi- OSEI KOFI – I put the blame football is meant to Something seriously has to there is a lot of rot in the crowd violence situations so ble mayhem. on the police, the Sports bring unity and friend- be done about the manner sports sector, which I believe that there will be no repetition For some time now Hearts Council and the referee who linessT among people and quality of referees handled the match since in government should take a of the Accra stadium disas- has been beating Kotoko and through FAIR PLAY. But appointed to handle such critical look at. We voted for ter. that jinx had to be broken at my opinion none of them the unity and friendliness matches. Sometimes it looks them because we needed I am urging the bereaved all cost thus the tension was played their role or roles that was to be derived from as if the appointments com- "positive change" and we are families to take heart and high. The referee marred the effectively. I think if any one the game rather brought mittee has no regard for the eager to see the change! commit all that happened to beauty of the game when he of them had behaved respon- pain and sorrow to the level of passion involved in To the police, they better be the Almighty God and for the ignored the assistant refe- sibly in the execution of their entire country as a result matches between these two up and doing. I wish the injured I wish them speedy ree’s flag and set the stage jobs the incident would not of police over-zealous- sides. Well, this is the time recovery. have occurred in the first ness. for them to review their prac- ANTHONY BOADI MOORE place. Some members of the public tices. – I wish to express my sor- The reason why I am saying in Kumasi have reacted at MADAM CECILIA ANANE – row and shock at the tragedy. this is very simple. If the ref- the national disaster, which is I will squarely put the blame It is really painful for human eree had played his role well now referred to as Black on the referee. If it was true lives to be substituted for the crowd would not have Wednesday. that the Assistant Referee’s plastic chairs. It is quite responded violently. If the JUSTICE ADDO (TAILOR, flag was up and the referee incomprehensible but adher- police had also realized that ASH-TOWN) - It is good that ignored it and allowed Hearts ing to the advise of the they were there to protect the President has advised us to score then I have no doubt President we will not pass lives they would not have not to pass judgment at the in my mind that it was the judgment. fired the teargas. moment but I had long ago referee who sparked off that However I believe we must There is no doubt that match- anticipated something of this nasty incident at the stadi- get to the drawing board and es between the two sides are nature, though not to such um. re-assess the architectural always characterized by ten- alarming proportions, I will also blame inconsisten- design of the stadium. I sion, therefore the moment because of the way our refe- cy on the part of the football believe that if we had had a fans of one side realize that rees have in most cases han- authorities as another cause lot more exits the situation their team is being given a dled some matches with of the disaster because they would not have been that raw deal, they begin to react bizarre decisions. Violence allowed the clubs to hold disastrous. negatively. should never be endorsed in Henry Adubofour them to ransom by rejecting Joseph Sampson On the issue of the police I On the other hand if the two anyway but I think there is a one referee after the other. think their inability to assert sides realize that everything level of patience of human Such inconsistency is unpro- injured well and console the themselves for over 20 years for spectator agitation. is fair, everybody accepts the beings. The issue of referees’ fessional. bereaved. has accounted for their lack The way and manner the outcome. appointment must be seri- Naturally since Kotoko had HENRY ADUBOFOUR – So of potency in the handling of police on duty at the time I know Hearts had beaten ously looked at. previously rejected the one far I know one person called such situations. reacted to the spectators’ Kotoko several times in the With the police I think they who was eventually selected Sani who lives at Bantama I suggest that the govern- behaviour is something not past but I see this defeat as a simply take delight in firing there was no way he could who is reported dead. Apart ment apportion some of the to be glossed over since they result of poor officiating so I teargas. They acted rather have favoured the visiting from him I do not know any budgetary allocation for arms are not well trained and am really disappointed by the callously. Their penchant for team. other person who died. and ammunition to safety equipped to contain such sit- outcome. firing teargas is quite on the Even though it is not right for I attribute the disaster to poor and disaster management uations. For the dead, all that I can high. As the President has a supporter to visit his anger officiating. If what people equipment. A typical example was the say is they should rest in promised, offenders must be about poor officiating on state who watched the match are To the injured I pray for their teargas incident during the peace. To the bereaved fami- dealt with after the property, considering the saying is anything to go by, quick recovery. I console the Hearts-Esperance match in lies they should also accept Presidential enquiry. To our behaviour of spectators then obviously the blame bereaved families. Accra last December, which my condolences and to the people who are bereaved I worldwide, there was nothing should go to the referee and ALHAJI YAHAYA – Right forced CAF to sanction injured I wish them speedy would want to take this anyone could do to prevent his assistants. from the word go the referee Ghana, but it appears we did recovery. opportunity to express my such spontaneity. They showed open bias did not hide his intention of not learn from the incident. profound condolences. I pray After all the plastic chairs are against Kotoko to the extent favouring Hearts. He inter- If one watches other interna- for quick recovery for the not more valuable than that even before the kick off acted freely with the Hearts tional matches it is clear that fans foresaw the calamity side but the same could not truncheons are used to con- that was imminent since he be said of the Kotoko side tain crowd violence. had proved his bias against and this heightened support- The police should use tear- Kotoko on previous occa- ers’ apprehension that they gas canisters sparingly so sions. would not be treated fairly. that they can save lives. Virtually all the infringements For the "Positive Change" Police personnel who will be were against Kotoko and this message to be realized there detailed to provide security at was enough to prove to all should be a major shake-up league centres should be and sundry that they were to at the GFA leadership. Agra, adequately trained and this make sure that Hearts beat Ampem Darko and Laryea, will go a long way to forestall Kotoko at all costs. Had it not the man who has been such unfortunate situations. been poor officiating I don’t’ appointing referees should I will like to stress that pent- think such a nasty incident all go since their positions up feelings amongst soccer would have occurred in the have been compromised. fans will always be expressed first place since it was at the Virtually all the top sports irrespective of the conse- same venue last year that gurus are Hearts sympathiz- quences and no one can Kotoko lost 0-4 to Hearts. No ers and they have chosen suppress it, so long as refe- nasty incident was recorded not to be neutral and objec- rees continue to behave irre- Akosua Frempomaa then because no one had Anthony Boadi tive. sponsibly on the field of Osei Kofi qualms with the level of offici- For the victims of the disaster play.