Stadium disaster trust deed now in force

Accra, Sept 18, GNA - The Ministry of Information, has announced that a Trust Deed on the Accra Sports Stadium Disaster of May 9, 2001which claimed the lives of 128 soccer fans has come into force following its execution and registration on 5th August 2003.

A statement signed by Mr Kofi Sekyiamah, Chief Director of the Ministry said the trust deed provides for the establishment of a Stadium Disaster Relief Trust to manage a fund for the purpose of educating the children of the deceased from pre-nursery to senior secondary school or its equivalent level.

It said beneficiaries are free to attend any school of their choice which is ran on the curricula approved by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in addiction to covering all relevant education cost including school fees, books and uniforms.

The statement said at the moment 144 children stand to benefit from the fund of which 103 have been located and vetted by the GES and their educational benefits disbursed.

The trust, to be managed by a four-member committee, has Mr John Saka Addo, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana as the chairman. Other members are Mrs Helina Cobbina, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Kwasi Essel-Koomson, Managing Director KEK Insurance and Mrs Regina A Apotsi, a State Attorney.

The statement said the trust is deemed terminated when the last of the eligible children completes his or hers education as spelt out in the trust deed or when the last of the eligible children would have attained the age of 21.