No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent 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 extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
