At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
