At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
