Sports Minister Kofi Adams demands harsher sanctions for stadium violence – Nsemkeka
Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has called for stricter penalties for individuals involved in violent conduct at football stadiums across the country.
His remarks follow the chaotic scenes that marred the Ghana Premier League Matchday 33 fixture between Basake Holy Stars and Nations FC at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena, a match that held significant implications for the 2024/25 league title race.
The game was abruptly halted after tensions escalated on the pitch. The chaos erupted when Nations FC players and officials protested a second penalty awarded to the home side, prompting a pitch invasion.
In a statement, Nations FC alleged that their club chairman, Dr. Kyei, and club president, Mr. Divine Kyei Boadu, were both assaulted during the violence.
“This hostile and violent conduct created an unsafe environment for our players, technical team, and officials,” the club said, justifying the eventual abandonment of the match.
Reacting to the incident, Minister Adams stressed the need for accountability and swift disciplinary action, regardless of a person’s status or political ties.
“People must be punished when they are found to be doing something wrong, irrespective of their status in the country or their political affiliation,” he told Sporty FM.
“We must have the tenacity to punish people when they do wrong. That is the only way, as a country that loves football, we must go, and we will benefit from it.
“If we allow such things to continue, 90 per cent of the football-loving fans will focus on the foreign leagues rather than your own league.”
Despite the urgency of the incident, nearly 48 hours later, no sanctions have been issued.
However, the Ghana Football Association has acknowledged the disturbance and confirmed that an investigation is underway.