At least six people have died and several others injured following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise.
The tragedy occurred early Wednesday morning when thousands of young applicants thronged the stadium in hopes of securing positions in the military. The recruitment process, which had recently been extended due to technical challenges with the online application portal, drew a far larger crowd than expected.
According to eyewitnesses, chaos erupted when some applicants began pushing through the gates as the exercise was about to start. The rush quickly escalated into a stampede, leaving many trapped and struggling to breathe. Security personnel on site were overwhelmed as the crowd surged forward, breaking through barriers and creating panic.
Medical teams from the 37 Military Hospital rushed to the scene to assist with the rescue effort. The bodies of those confirmed dead were transported to the hospital’s morgue, while dozens of others were treated for injuries ranging from fractures to suffocation. Hospital officials confirmed that several victims remain in critical condition.
The Ghana Armed Forces have expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a statement, the military said it was working closely with the police and medical authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy and to identify the victims.
According to military sources, preliminary reports suggest that overcrowding and poor coordination at the entry points contributed significantly to the disaster. The number of applicants who turned up for the physical screening far exceeded the stadium’s capacity, with some arriving as early as midnight to secure a place in the queue.
Witnesses described scenes of desperation as applicants jostled for entry, with some climbing fences and others collapsing under pressure from the crowd. “People were pushing from behind, and there was no space to move or breathe. Some just fell, and others tripped over them,” one survivor recounted.
The Ghana Armed Forces have since suspended the ongoing recruitment exercise pending the outcome of an internal review. The military says it is committed to improving crowd control, safety protocols, and communication strategies to prevent similar incidents in future exercises.
Meanwhile, security analysts and civil society groups have called for a comprehensive probe into the tragedy, citing long-standing concerns over inadequate planning during mass recruitment drives. They have urged the military and government to adopt digital verification and appointment systems to reduce overcrowding at recruitment centers.
President John Mahama has been briefed on the situation and is expected to visit the affected families and injured victims. Public sentiment remains one of grief and anger, with many questioning why safety arrangements were not better enforced given the scale of the exercise.
