At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
