Interplast has donated relief items through the May 9 Foundation to support families affected by the May 9, 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster, as well as other vulnerable groups.
The donation is part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the tragic incident, which occurred during a league match between Accra Hearts of Oak SC and Asante Kotoko SC at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The disaster claimed more than 126 lives in a stampede and left several others injured, making it one of the deadliest stadium tragedies in African football history.
Since its establishment in the aftermath of the incident, the May 9 Foundation has continued to support affected families and other vulnerable persons through various humanitarian and social intervention programmes over the years.
The foundation’s activities include providing support for victims of floods and gas explosions, assisting physically challenged persons, offering educational support to needy families, and funding medical treatment for children suffering from hole-in-heart conditions.
Former Asante Kotoko chairman Herbert Mensah said many families affected by the May 9 disaster continue to struggle years after the tragic incident.
According to him, some victims and relatives are still unhappy with the level of support they received and the outcome of investigations into the tragedy.
As part of its healthcare interventions, the May 9 Foundation has partnered with the Shen Yang and Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation to sponsor surgeries for children diagnosed with hole-in-heart conditions.
Mr Mensah disclosed that 117 children have so far undergone successful surgeries at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital through the programme.
He revealed that each surgery costs between $6,000 and $14,000, with funding provided by the Shen Yang and Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation.
According to him, the initiative is expected to continue over the next 10 years, with plans to sponsor between 20 and 30 surgeries annually.
Mr Mensah also acknowledged the support of several organisations and individuals contributing to the foundation’s humanitarian work, including Sunda International, Softcare, GBfoods, Melcom Group, the Kesben Group and a number of media organisations.