Herbert, Napo Remember May 9

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Alhaji Suleiman Braimama, and Herbert Mensah during the walk in Kumasi last Saturday

ALL ACTIVITIES in Kumasi came to an abrupt halt last Saturday when former Kotoko Board Chairman, Herbert Mensah and Manhyia MP, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka 'Napo' hit the streets on a float.

The mammoth float, which started at the Cultural Center at 6am and finished at the WESCO Park three hours later, was in commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the May 9 disaster in which 127 soccer fans died.

The float, which saw an enthusiastic crowd, numbering more than 300, drawn from Kumasi and Accra, marching through the city, was also graced by Alhaji Suleiman Braimama aka 'Alhaji Hearts'.

The walk, which was supported by a brass band, caused massive vehicular traffic in several principal streets of the Garden City, notably Kejetia, Roman Hill, Aboabo Station and Ash Town. Addressing the crowd, Herbert Mensah promised that so far as he lived, he would play a leading role to make sure the victims of May 9, whom he referred to as heroes, were remembered and their families supported financially.

Mr. Mensah, who has single-handedly organized events and donated food and other items to May 9 victims annually during the last 11 years, urged Ghanaians to offer a helping hand to the families of the stadium disaster.

He showered praises on the Manhyia MP, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, for accepting to be part of the walk, urging other influential personalities in the country to follow Napo's lead.

Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, on his part, said a country which did not honour its heroes was not worth dying for. He therefore entreated the general public, especially the leadership of Kotoko and Hearts, to actively participate in future May 9 activities.

Dr Prempeh suggested that Kotoko and Hearts should play a friendly game during the observation of every May 9 so that the proceeds would be donated to the families of the victims.

Alhaji Hearts tasked government authorities concerned to make sure that proper audit was conducted on monies raised from corporate bodies by the government to support families of May 9 victims.

Mr. Mensah later on in the day presented food items such as bags of rice, soft drinks and t-shirts to the families of May 9 victims at the Golden Tulip Kumasi City.

This year's May 9 commemoration in Kumasi was supported by Golden Tulip Kumasi City, Interplast, Everpure, T.T. Brothers, Starlion, and GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi who personally donated an undisclosed amount of money to support the event.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi