Tight security for FA Cup final

Stringent security measures have been put in place by the Northern Regional Police Command to ensure an incident-free and successful hosting of the MTN FA Cup final between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Tamale Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The security arrangement put in place in collaboration with the various security agencies, is to ensure that fans, players, officials, dignitaries, among others, are protected and also ensure the free flow of vehicular traffic in and around the stadium.

On the match day, plain clothed uniform personnel, including men from the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) will be deployed in and around the stadium to check pilfering, smoking of banned substances, traffic management and all manner of lawlessness.

A statement issued by the Police Regional Command and signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Mohammed Tanko Yusif, said no vehicles or motorcycles will be allowed into the stadium, except those with the required accreditation.

It stated that vehicles and motorcycles without accreditation would be allowed to use the car park outside the stadium.

The statement urged journalists to contact the organisers for their accreditation before they enter the stadium on the match day as press cards will not be accepted.

The statement directed all current and former footballers, referees, including the physically challenged and any other person or persons, who believe they are not supposed to pay to watch the match to contact the organisers for accreditation to save themselves any embarrassment as they will not be allowed into the stadium without a ticket or an accreditation.

It added that a portion of the road between the Choggu roundabout and the Old Airport roundabout would be closed to ordinary traffic and motorists are directed to use the road in front of the forest area behind the stadium.

The Police also appealed to fans to be extra vigilant because criminals would like to take advantage of the crowd to pick pockets, snatch valuables and also break into vehicles.

"Fans are advised not to carry large sums of money or valuables to the stadium or leave same in their vehicles when it is not necessary to do so," the statement said.