Kofi Adams, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, has reaffirmed the government's dedication to protecting fans at sporting events nationwide.
He gave the guarantee at a somber celebration marking the 24th anniversary of the 2001 May 9 Stadium Disaster at the Accra Sports Stadium.
During a league game between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, 127 football fans lost their life.
Speaking to a group of football officials, fans, government officials, and grieving families, Mr. Adams emphasized that although football arouses intense feelings, it must never turn violent.
No matter the choices or the results, he stated that "football is a game played with a lot of passion, but that in no way should move this passion to the level of violence."
The tragic killing of a fan known as "Pooley" served as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability, the Minister said, expressing alarm at the return of hooliganism in Ghanaian football.
"The recent loss of Pooley should not have occurred. Our ministry and the government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama are committed to working with the Ghana Police to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity face justice. Nobody will be protected by us. Your standing is irrelevant," he said.
Additionally, Mr. Adams praised the May 9 Disaster Fund's efforts to assist impacted families.
He disclosed that a large number of the victims' children who benefited from the fund's educational assistance had now finished their postsecondary education.
He did, however, demand more openness about the fund's present state and its operational procedures.
Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), echoed the Minister's comments by emphasizing the necessity of eradicating hooliganism from the game.
"Our football is not a venue for hooliganism. We will continue to lose life if we behave badly. However, it is not what football is all about," he stated. "It is important to enjoy football in a secure setting and return home peacefully."
Although the May 9 disaster cannot be undone, Mr. Okraku noted that big stadiums have made great progress in enhancing their infrastructure and safety procedures.
"You can see that the facilities at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium have significantly improved. He demanded justice for Pooley's recent death and stated, "Game security arrangements are completely different and significantly increased." "As we continue this journey of remembering the 127+ individuals that we lost here, justice for Pooley remains vital."
Prayers for the deceased were said at the end of the event, and everyone involved reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safety and preserving Ghanaian football—a sport that should bring people together, inspire them, and make them happy rather than sad.