Mahama Visits Casualties of Military Recruitment Stampede at El Wak
- President John Mahama visited the casualties of the El Wak Stadium stampede during the recruitment exercise
- Mahama was accompanied by the acting Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff, among other officials
- The government’s plan to recruit 12,000 personnel into the army over the next three and a half years
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President John Mahama has visited casualties receiving medical care after the stampede that marred the military recruitment exercise.
The death toll from the stampede at the El-Wak Stadium on November 12 stands at six.
Source: Facebook
Citi News reported that several of the casualties were receiving care at the Intensive Care Unit of the 37 military hospital following the incident.
Mahama was accompanied by the acting Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff, among others.
He later called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the deadly stampede.
The president also emphasised the need for enhanced safety measures during public recruitment exercises and national events.
Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour called the incident sad and extended his sympathies in comments to YEN.com.GH.
He, however, criticised the government's handling of the tragedy.
"I am calling and appealing that the process be suspended... let us go back to the table and let us help them to put in place
"People must not lose their lives in an attempt to serve the country."
The stampede occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the stadium as part of the body selection exercises as part of the enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces.
The large crowd, coupled with intense jostling at the entry points, led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
Security personnel have cordoned off the area, with the military blocking all major roads leading to El Wak Stadium to maintain order and facilitate rescue operations.
The tragic incident occurred amid an extended recruitment period announced by the Ghana Armed Forces.
Source: Facebook
The exercise, which was initially scheduled to close on October 31, 2025, had been extended by one week following technical challenges on the recruitment portal.
Authorities are yet to officially comment on the stampede, but preliminary reports suggest that poor crowd control and the overwhelming turnout contributed to the disaster.
Investigations are expected to be launched to determine the circumstances leading to the incident and prevent similar tragedies in future recruitment exercises.
Five people collapse during Kumasi exercise
At least five people collapsed during the military recruitment exercise at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
One person was in critical condition and receiving treatment at the Emena Hospital in Oforikrom Municipality, while four others were treated at the Ashanti South Government Hospital.
To avert further casualties, National Security officers arranged for the Ghana Fire Service to provide water for the prospective recruits.
Additionally, some applicants were asked to return later to reduce overcrowding and prevent a potential stampede.
Army recruitment targets for Ghanaian government
YEN.com.gh reported that the government is targeting the recruitment of 12,000 new personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces over the next three years.
Deputy Defence Minister, Brogya Genfi, first noted that the cost of recruitment forms will be reduced by more than 40% compared to the previous exercise.
He assured that the process would be transparent and strictly merit-based, and also warned against falling for fraudulent recruitment schemes.
Source: YEN.com.gh
