No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
