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Due to restrictions imposed as a result of the new Coronavirus 2020, COVID-19, this year’s commemoration was limited to a small gathering of people with disabilities who again received mobility aids donated by DESO.
DESO (Team for the Disabled Sent Overseas) is a UK-based charity run by “Aunty Mavis”, a British-Ghanaian woman whose charitable work in Ghana spans more than 64 years.
A number of Ghana Rugby men’s and women’s national players, the Ghana Eagles, wore Ghana Rugby brand face masks with the message, “PLAY YOUR PART. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE” assisted with logistics during the event.
On the occasion in Accra, Mensah said that even severe interruptions and virus restrictions should not recall the tragic event of May 9, 2001 when one hundred twenty-six (126) young Ghanaians who had come to Accra Sports Stadium to see how the beautiful soccer game lost his life.
“For the past eighteen years, a group of us have marked May 9 by keeping abreast of the events surrounding this tragedy, as well as the families involved, including the issues of stadium security and proper governance in Ghana. The safety of the soccer family was not given the proper priority at the time and we must remind our sports administrators over and over that “Safety first” is not only important, but a responsibility and a duty, “Mensah said.
Mensah said it is ironic that the nineteenth annual commemoration of the stadium disaster coincides with a time when the call for “safety first” tops the global agenda.
With the Coronavirus in the air, I again ask for “safety first” and for everyone to pay attention to the guidelines for wearing face masks and keeping up to date with maintaining social distances.
“In 2001, safety was not on the agenda, and 126 young soccer fans lost their lives unnecessarily. With the Coronavirus in the air, I again ask for “safety first” and for everyone to pay attention to the guidelines for wearing face masks and keeping up to date with maintaining social distances. If we do not fulfill our role in this regard, we can see another tragedy of even greater proportions in Ghana, ”Mensah said.
Mensah also said that the safety of players and the public in all aspects of sports administration will always be a priority on their agenda.
“For me, the lesson of May 9, 2001 is that you can never neglect the duty of security on or off the field. Loss of life is unacceptable when administrators fail to fulfill their duty to prevent it. Ghana Rugby recently launched a program, EagleWise, in cooperation with BokSmart of the South African Rugby Union, which will focus on aspects of player safety and well-being. We have also embarked on an elaborate “STAY SAFE” program during the COVID-19 period that I hope has helped save lives, Mensah said.
Traditional events marking the awareness campaign of the “Remembered May 9” movement that Mensah started will not take place in 2020. Since 2001, the campaign led by Mensah included a massive walk in Kumasi, prayers at the Central Mosque of Kumasi and visits. to the families of the deceased.
The events for 2020 included the welcome presentation of DESO mobility grants to people with disabilities, as well as visits to selected families of the deceased, accompanied by food packages.
“I am once again grateful to the companies that have once again shown solidarity with the cause of May 9 remembered by donating money to defray the costs and / or food for the families of the deceased. This year, Interplast, Sunda International and GB Foods played their role again. Without their support, the call of the “May 9 remembered” cause for due diligence when it comes to the sports administration will be difficult, if not impossible, to continue to burn, “Mensah said.
Mensah also said the Movement will “compensate” in 2021 for the limited recall events caused by COVID-19 this year.
