ACCRA, Ghana — At least six people died in a stampede during a military recruitment exercise at El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred before the event officially began, when a sudden surge of applicants overwhelmed security and rushed through the stadium gates.
Overcrowding and High Turnout
Thousands of young Ghanaians had gathered to compete for limited positions in the Ghana Armed Forces, amid a youth unemployment rate of about 13 percent. The turnout was larger than expected after authorities extended the recruitment deadline by a week to accommodate applicants facing difficulties with online registration.
Casualties and Response
The crush left multiple people injured, with several receiving emergency treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Security forces have since secured the area, and the recruitment exercise is continuing under tighter controls.
The Ghana Armed Forces expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the incident and prevent future tragedies.
Employment Pressures
The tragedy highlights the intense demand for military jobs in Ghana, where many young people view enlistment as a pathway to stable employment in a competitive job market.