The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that six people have died and several others were injured in a stampede during a military recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday.
In a statement, the GAF described the incident as “deeply regrettable” and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. “The Ghana Armed Forces mourns the loss of lives during this unfortunate event and is taking immediate steps to review safety and crowd control protocols to prevent a recurrence,” the statement said.
The stampede occurred early in the morning when thousands of young applicants turned up for the 2025/2026 recruitment screening. According to eyewitnesses, confusion broke out when security personnel attempted to control the crowd as the gates were opened, leading to a sudden rush. Many fell and were trampled as the crowd surged forward.
Emergency responders from the 37 Military Hospital and the Ghana National Fire Service arrived at the scene to assist with rescue operations. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same facility. Hospital officials said several victims remain in critical condition.
The military explained that the large turnout was partly due to an extension of the recruitment window after earlier technical challenges with the online application portal. The decision, though intended to accommodate more applicants, resulted in an overwhelming crowd far exceeding the stadium’s capacity.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as hundreds tried to force their way into the stadium. “People were screaming and gasping for air. Some tried to climb over the fences, and others collapsed on the ground,” said one applicant who narrowly escaped injury.
In response to the tragedy, the Ghana Armed Forces has suspended the ongoing recruitment exercise and announced an internal investigation to determine what went wrong. The military police have been tasked to coordinate with civilian security agencies to review the chain of events that led to the deaths.
The Defence Ministry also issued a statement expressing sorrow and pledging to work with the military high command to improve planning and safety procedures at future public recruitment events. It assured the public that “those found to have acted negligently or failed to follow established safety protocols will be held accountable.”
The incident has sparked widespread public grief and criticism, with many Ghanaians taking to social media to express anger over what they described as poor crowd management. Civil society organisations and youth advocacy groups have called for an independent investigation into the tragedy.
For many, the deaths are a grim reflection of the growing desperation among young people seeking employment in Ghana. With youth unemployment rates among the highest in the subregion, the military’s annual recruitment exercises often attract tens of thousands of applicants, many willing to queue overnight for a chance to serve.
As investigations continue, families of the victims have begun identifying their loved ones at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
