No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event

Event location
A Multitude Assembled at the Venue in Accra

At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.

22 others were injured, among them five who are in serious state.

Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.

Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.

Megan Poole
Megan Poole

Elara is a poet and educator with a passion for modern verse and literary analysis, sharing her journey to inspire others.