Last Sunday’s stadium disaster in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan, that claimed nearly 20 lives must be a signal for the rest of Africa especially those of us along the West Coast to tighten security for the ongoing World Cup/Africa Cup qualifying series.

The disaster clearly overshadowed Cote d’Ivoire’s brilliant 5-0 win over Mali and as enquiries continue to probe the cause of the disaster,there should be no panic reactions but a sober reflection to avoid another wanton waste of human lives at a function meant for entertainment.

Ghana has had its fair share of such calamities in West Africa with the horrendous May 9 2001 episode at the Accra Stadium that claimed 126 lives topping the charts. I had the privilege of serving on the presidential commission that probed the May 9 disaster and among some of the important recommendations were that teargas should never be fired under any circumstances in an enclosed area as a means of crowd control or dispersal and firearms must not be taken on Stadium duties, but if found desirable or necessary must definitely not be taken into the arena. All organizers of football must take note.

It is reported that teargas was fired in the Abidjan incident to control the mad rush at the stadium precincts. The attraction to see in action our stars playing abroad is infectious. The 2012 World Cup, the first on African soil is so historic that every football fan in Africa wants to give moral support to her nation to be counted among Africa’s elite football nations hence the massive rush to the stadia. The various football associations have no choice but to learn the nuances of staging such high profile international matches.

Despite the hullabaloo about the May 9 episode, Ghana had a rude shock last February 8 when an overfilled Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi claimed seven lives in a league match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. The warning signs from this disaster informed the authorities to tighten security in last Sunday’s Ghana- Benin World Cup qualifier and serious efforts were made and we had efficient crowd control. It is kudos to the Ghana Football Association.

It is my expectation that Cote d’Ivoire will quickly put its house in order and make the next home game in the series trouble free.

The same advice goes to Togo who should expect a massive home crowd after the ban on their home matches is lifted. The inconvenience of playing home matches on neutral grounds with its attendant heavy loss of revenue should guide the Togolese football authorities to plan well for the future.

These rampant stadium disasters don’t speak well of the continent and CAF must be on the look out.