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The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed six fatalities following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium during an ongoing recruitment exercise. Earlier reports had suggested 12 deaths, creating confusion before the military clarified the actual toll.
A total of 28 people were taken to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment. Of these, six have died, five are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 12 remain in critical condition.
The stampede occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians crowded the stadium, eager to enlist in the GAF. The large turnout, combined with intense jostling at entry points, led to chaos and multiple injuries. Security personnel cordoned off the area, and major roads leading to the stadium were blocked to facilitate rescue operations.
The incident took place during an extended recruitment period, which was initially scheduled to end on October 31, 2025. The extension, according to Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, was necessary to accommodate applicants who faced technical challenges on the recruitment portal.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement read.
Preliminary reports suggest that poor crowd control and the overwhelming turnout were major factors contributing to the tragedy. Authorities are expected to launch investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the stampede and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in future recruitment exercises.
