34 Casualties; 6 Dead in Stampede at El-Wak Military Recruitment
A tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra has claimed the lives of six young job seekers and left several others injured during a nationwide recruitment exercise by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
According to an official statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces, the incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. after a large crowd of applicants breached security barriers and forced their way through the main gates ahead of the scheduled screening. Thousands of hopeful recruits had gathered at the venue from dawn, eager to participate in the exercise, but the situation quickly turned chaotic as the crowd surged uncontrollably toward the entrance.
Several others sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital’s casualty ward. Security officers have since cordoned off the area, while military personnel have restricted access to the stadium to maintain order and assist ongoing rescue operations.
The incident comes just days after the Ghana Armed Forces extended the recruitment deadline by one week following technical difficulties encountered on its online application portal. The extension, announced in a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, was intended to give applicants additional time to complete their registration.
Addressing the gathering at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi, President John Dramani Mahama described the incident as “a heartbreaking loss for the entire nation,” noting that all six victims were female applicants who had gone to the stadium with the hope of serving their country.
“The tragic news is that I have been informed by the military that six young women, who simply sought an opportunity to serve their nation, lost their lives in this heartbreaking incident. We are praying for the 12 others who remain in critical condition,” the President said.
He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament later in the day, Acting Minister of Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, confirmed the deaths and described the incident as “deeply tragic.” He expressed government’s condolences to the bereaved families and assured that investigations have been launched to establish the cause and prevent future occurrences.
“The Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces are working closely with law enforcement agencies to determine what led to this unfortunate event,” Dr. Forson told Parliament. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those receiving treatment.”
The El-Wak tragedy has reignited public concern over safety protocols during large-scale national recruitment exercises, particularly amid high youth unemployment and limited job opportunities.
