No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
