El-Wak Stadium Stampede: Survivor Recounts How God Saved Him After Falling Down During Chaos

El-Wak Stadium Stampede: Survivor Recounts How God Saved Him After Falling Down During Chaos

  • A survivor of the El-Wak Stadium stampede on November 12, 2025, has recounted how God saved him from the jaws of death
  • The man, in a video, narrated that he was among those who fell during the rush at the Ghana Armed Forces screening exercise
  • 34 casualties, six of whom lost their lives, were recorded in the stampede during the screening of potential Army recruits

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A survivor of the El-Wak Stadium stampede on November 11, 2025, has recounted his near-death experience during the chaos at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) screening for potential recruits.

Thousands of recruits in the Greater Accra Region and nearby locations thronged to the sports stadium on Wednesday to participate in the preliminary stage of the GAF 2025 recruitment exercise.

El-Wak Stadium, El-Wak Stampede, Ghana Army Recruitment, John Mahama, Ghana Armed Forces, Eyewitness Account, Accra, 2025 Ghana Army Enlistment
A survivor of the El-Wak Stadium stampede shares his story about how God spared him from death. Photo source: @adomtv, @officialjdmahama
Source: Instagram

Six lives lost in El-Wak Stadium stampede

The high numbers became difficult to contain at the venue, leading to a stampede which affected 34 victims, including six females who lost their lives.

Read also

El Wak: Sad scenes at Yvonne Amoateng’s home, relative recalls last chat with stampede victim

A statement released by the GAF indicated the deceased and others who were injured had been sent to the 37 Military Hospital.

Addressing Parliament after the incident, the acting Minister of Defence, Dr Casiel Ato Forson, said that five others were in critical condition at the ICU, 12 were in fairly critical condition, and the rest were stable.

He announced the suspension of the recruitment exercise and the constitution of a board of enquiry to investigate the incident that claimed the six lives.

The Facebook post about Dr Ato Forson's comments is below:

El-Wak Stadium stampede survivor tells his story

While the six deceased ladies and the 28 injured potential recruits were not lucky, one young man survived and has shared his account of the happenings on the day.

In an interview with Adom TV, he indicated that many people, including himself, fell and were trampled upon by others, adding that he only survived by the grace of God.

Read also

Akufo-Addo mourns death of six recruits in El-Wak Stadium tragedy

"Boss, it was only God who saved me oo. It's only God," he said.

Explaining what happened, he stated that he and others were standing on the other side and had to rush into the stadium when the gate was opened.

El-Wak Stadium, El-Wak Stampede, Ghana Army Recruitment, John Mahama, Ghana Armed Forces, Eyewitness Account, Accra, 2025 Ghana Army Enlistment
Thousands of applicants throng the El-Wak Stadium for the 2025 Ghana Armed Forces enlistment, leading to a stampede. Photo source: @bessagh
Source: UGC

They realised a car was approaching the stadium, and they had to give way for the vehicle to enter, after which those behind started pushing them.

During the push, the first person in front of him fell, and he also fell, with people stepping on him and injuring his legs.

"My legs all...it's only God. Some people fainted. I even lost my footwear, and I just saw a half pair. They now say until further notice," he said.

Watch the video on X of the survivor's account below:

El-Wak stampede: Pusiga MP's reaction sparks backlash

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Pusiga Member of Parliament (MP) Laadi Ayii Ayamba had reacted to the tragic demise of six individuals in the El-Wak Stadium stampede.

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Over 100 residents of Ehi in Ketu North arrested in predawn operation

The MP's remarks about the unfortunate incident attracted massive criticism from her colleagues in parliament, with many social media users also slamming her for being insensitive.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Jeffrey Owusu-Mensah avatar

Jeffrey Owusu-Mensah (HOD Entertainment) Jeffrey is the Head of the Entertainment Desk and a graduate of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He started as a reporter with Ghana News Agency (GNA). He joined Primnewsghana.com in 2016 as an editor. He moved to YEN.com.gh in 2017 as an editor and has risen to his current position. You can contact him via e-mail: j.owusu-mensah@yen.com.gh