No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
