President John Mahama during the visit at the hospital
Six female potential recruits of the Ghana Armed Forces’ 2025/2026 have been confirmed dead following the tragic stampede that occurred yesterday at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.
The incident also left 22 other potential recruits injured. Out of the number, five individuals have been admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 12 remain in critical condition, while the rest are in stable condition at the 37 Military Hospital.
In all, 28 casualties were recorded, although their identities are yet to be announced by GAF officials.
The stampede occurred around 6:20am when an unexpected surge of applicants breached security protocols and forced their way through the gates ahead of the scheduled screening at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, in a desperate bid to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces.
A statement, signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations (Ghana Navy), confirmed that the injured are receiving emergency medical attention at the 37 Military Hospital.
She assured the public that medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilise those affected, while arrangements are being made to notify the families of the deceased.
Mahama Visits Victims
Following the tragic stampede, President John Mahama visited the victims who sustained injuries at the 37 Military Hospital.
President Mahama was accompanied by Acting Defence Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
He expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced the immediate suspension of the ongoing recruitment exercises in Accra to allow for a new comprehensive review of the process.
NGOs Call
Many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have condemned the poor crowd management and emergency preparedness by officials of GAF, which has claimed the lives of six potential recruits.
Policy think tank, CUTS International Accra, has called on Parliament to amend the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), to include stricter health and safety requirements for public event organisers following the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Stadium during the military recruitment exercise.
A statement signed by West Africa Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, expressed sadness over the deaths, describing the tragedy as another reminder of the country’s weak institutional systems.
“This tragedy once again exposes Ghana’s poor preparedness and lack of effective crowd control systems,” the statement said and added, “From churches and funerals to schools and job recruitments, large gatherings continue to take place in unsafe spaces without proper safety protocols or emergency exits.”
By Prince Fiifi Yorke