No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who are in serious state.
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 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
