Sports and Recreation Minister-Designate, Kofi Iddie Adams has waded into the unfortunate unrest which claimed one life at the Nana Koromansah Park when Nsoatreman FC faced Kumasi Asante Kotoko on match day nineteen of the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
Famous Asante Kotoko support Frimpong Yaw affectionately called ‘Pooley’ lost life after he was said to have stabbed multiple times by some unknown person following a heated fisticuffs during the match which ended 1-0 against the Porcupines who finished the game with eight men.
The death news has marred the beauty of the league as the Ghana Football Association; the organizers of the league has called for suspension of match day 20 until further notice.
A statement on the FA’s website reads:
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to postpone the next round of league matches (Matchday 20) following the violent incidents and fatality that occurred at the match played between Nsoatreman FC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko over the weekend.”
“This move is aimed at creating space for the GFA to engage with relevant stakeholders and discuss the ramifications of the violence.”
“The postponement will allow the GFA to assess the situation, consult with stakeholders, and develop strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.”
“The GFA has been working to improve the overall football experience in Ghana and is keen to ensure that this incident is dealt with swiftly and decisively to send the signal that such acts have no place in Ghana Football.”
Many have fingered former Member of Sunyani West Constituency and Employment Minister and owner of Nsoatreman Football Club, Ignatius Baffour who has been apprehended by the Ghana Police to assist in investigation, to have allegedly instigated section of the home fans to cause the mayhem during the said match.
Two other suspects have been arrested as confirmed by the Police Service.
Speaking for the first time after his vetting appearance, the Natinonal Democratic Congress’ Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency stated what happened at Nsoatreman on Sunday has lines of criminology and his government will follow to the bottom to prosecute culprits.
“These must have a criminal angle. This is not simply a game between two clubs that have resulted in this, there is a criminal part and government will follow through to its logical conclusion.” he told JoyNews
“It doesn’t matter who is involved. It will not matter who’s involved. If you are found guilty that you instigated, participated you will face appropriate action by government because we are not going to tolerate sad act.” he said.
“This government; the administration of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama will not tolerate any violence whatsoever, ANY hooliganism at ANY of our stadia and ANY of our games,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the president of the country’s football governing body, Kurt Okraku who has incessantly been chastised for his inept leadership style posted on his Facebook wall announcing that the Association is meeting all Premier League CEOs on Thursday, February 6, at its secretariat in a crunchy meeting after which they will also all Supporter’s Chiefs of the eighteen Premier League clubs the following to deliberate on the matter.
For now, Nsoatreman FC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC charged and the Nana Koronamansah Park banned indefinitely.
