Stories and facts
On May 9, 2001, Ghana experienced its most devastating sporting tragedy when 126 football fans lost their lives at the Accra Sports Stadium (then Ohene Djan Stadium) during a match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. The disaster unfolded after a contentious call in favour of Accra Hearts of Oak sparked an inferno of disappointment among the Asante Kotoko faithful, who threw objects onto the pitch.
The response from authorities was swift, but tragically misguided. Tear gas, wielded as a weapon of control, became the catalyst for chaos.
Many exits were locked, trapping fans and leading to deaths primarily from compressive asphyxia, with some also succumbing to trauma. The Ohene Djan sports stadium, once seen as a symbol of sporting prowess, revealed its sinister flaw: a death trap ensnaring the innocent.
There were reports of abandonment and negligence, which further darkened the narrative, as medical aid fled the scene, leaving the hopeless and unconscious to remain unchecked.
As the dust settled with echoes of anguish through the nation, the search for accountability began. An official inquiry found that police overreacted, using excessive force and displaying serious lapses in crowd control.
Six officers were charged with manslaughter, but the court ruled there was insufficient evidence for conviction, attributing the deaths mainly to the stampede rather than the tear gas itself.
The inquiry recommended significant improvements to stadium safety, security, and emergency response. The stadium was later renovated to meet FIFA standards, but concerns over maintenance and crowd management have persisted.
In the wake of the tragedy, Ghana observed three days of national mourning and suspended the football league for a month. Memorials have since been held annually, including the establishment of the Stadium Disaster Fund to support victims’ families, memorial walks, and the erection of a bronze statue outside the stadium bearing the inscription "I Am My Brother's Keeper". Fans and officials continue to honour the memory of those lost, vowing "Never Again" whenever they gather at the stadium.
Today, even though many years have passed since the tragic event, anytime fans flock to the stadium, their voices carry a solemn refrain, "Never Again! Never Again!" a vow firmly ingrained in the collective memory of a nation scarred by a disastrous event.
Explore the harrowing events that led to Africa's darkest stadium disaster.
