El-Wak Stadium Stampede: Pusiga MP Receives Backlash Over ‘Insensitive’ Remarks on Incident
- Pusiga MP Laadi Ayii Ayamba has reacted to the demise of six people in a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium
- The MP's remarks about the unfortunate incident have attracted massive criticism from her colleagues in Parliament
- Many Ghanaians, who called the statement 'insensitive,' have taken to social media to also blast Laadi Ayii Ayamba
- YEN.com.gh spoke with Nabil Abubakar, an NPP youth activist and member of the Active Movement for Bawumia 2028, on Pusiga MP Laadi Ayii Ayamba's remarks
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Pusiga constituency, Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba, has come under heavy criticism following her remarks on the unfortunate stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Source: Facebook
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the tragic passing of six potential recruits and injuries to several others following a stampede at the stadium in Accra ahead of the 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
The unfortunate incident occurred after a large number of applicants reportedly breached security protocols.
According to the military, 28 people were taken to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment, with five reported to have been in the ICU and another 12 remaining in critical condition.
Pusiga MP speaks on El-Wak Stadium stampede
Following the tragic events at the stadium, Madam Laadi Ayii spoke about the incident during proceedings at the parliament.
In her speech, described by many as insensitive, she called on her colleagues and Ghanaians to find solace in Allah.
The Pusiga constituency MP claimed that the tragedy was part of Allah's plans for the dead victims and that their fate had already been determined.
"I want us to all take solace in the Almighty Allah. There is nothing that doesn't happen at the right time. This is what the Almighty Allah has ordained for them. Today is their day.
"No matter how, no matter what. No matter who was there as what, even if we brought all the presidents in the world to sit there as ministers, once today is ordained for them to die, they will. This is what has happened."
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Laadi Ayii's remarks sparked reactions from her colleagues in parliament, especially NPP MPs, who registered their displeasure inside the legislative chamber.
The Facebook video of Pusiga MP Laadi Ayamba speaking about the El-Wak Stadium stampede deaths is below:
NPP activist reacts to Pusiga MP's remarks
In an interview with YEN.com.gh, Nabil Abubakar, an NPP youth activist and member of the Active Movement for Bawumia 2028, shared his thoughts on Laadi Ayii Ayamba's remarks about the stampede.
He said:
"As a Muslim, I understand the cultural context of her message. However, this was clearly a case of delivering the right message at the wrong time."
"The El-Wak tragedy was preventable, and making such remarks in that moment only deepened public pain. For the sake of accountability and respect for the victims, she should issue a public apology not only to her constituents but to the Ghanaian people as a whole."
Ghana Army details cause of stadium stampede
In a statement released by the Ghana Armed Forces on social media, preliminary investigations indicated that the stampede was triggered by an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates ahead of the scheduled screening.
They noted that the injured victims of the incident were receiving emergency medical care at the 37 Military Hospital.
Source: Facebook
The Ghana Armed Forces assured the general public that the medical teams were working tirelessly to stabilise affected individuals. Arrangements were also made to notify the families of the deceased.
The press statement from the Ghana Armed Forces detailing the cause of the Stadium stampede is below:
Ghanaians react to Pusiga MP's remarks
YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments from Ghanaians on social media below:
Cobby Ray commented:
"We just don't like taking responsibility for our mistakes and actions. How is this avoidable mistake Allah's fault?"
Yaa Pokua Dzidudu Opoku-Ware wrote:
"Eii !!! For real? Like seriously? Whose MP is this? Eii. A woman?"
Eddy Blay said:
"Sometimes, it is better to keep quiet than to utter a word."
Ntim Fordjour calls for Army recruitment suspension
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that John Ntim Fordjour had called for the Ghana Army's recruitment exercise to be suspended following the El-Wak Stadium stampede.
The Ranking Member on the Defence & Interior Committee in Parliament noted that proper measures needed to be put in place to ensure the safety of potential recruits.
In the same trending interview, John Ntim Fordjour also called for a restructuring of the Army's screening process to ensure that there is less pressure at the centres.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
