The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that six people have died following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during an ongoing military recruitment exercise on Wednesday morning.
Earlier reports had suggested that 12 people had lost their lives, but the military later clarified that six deaths had been officially confirmed. According to a statement released by the GAF, 28 individuals were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment. Of these, five remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 12 others are in critical condition.
The stampede reportedly occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the El-Wak Stadium in a desperate attempt to secure enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces. The massive crowd, combined with intense pushing at the entry points, resulted in chaos, injuries, and fatalities.
Security personnel swiftly cordoned off the area as the military blocked major roads leading to the stadium to restore order and facilitate rescue operations.
The tragedy comes amid an extended recruitment period announced by the Ghana Armed Forces. The exercise—originally set to end on October 31, 2025—was extended by one week following technical challenges with the recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the GAF said the extension aimed to accommodate applicants who encountered difficulties during the initial phase.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement read.
Authorities have yet to comment further on the circumstances of the tragedy. However, preliminary reports point to poor crowd management and an overwhelming turnout as key factors behind the disaster.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to recommend measures to prevent a recurrence in future recruitment exercises.
