At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment 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 Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
