At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
