No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
