Six Dead, Several Injured in Stampede at GAF Recruitment Exercise

In a heartbreaking turn of events on Wednesday morning (12 November 2025), a stampede erupted at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) 2025/2026 nationwide recruitment exercise held at the El‑Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least six prospective recruits, with dozens of others hospitalized following the chaos.

According to a GAF press release, the stampede occurred around 6:20 a.m. when a large surge of applicants rushed the entry gates, overwhelming security personnel and breaching crowd-control protocols. Among the 28 applicants rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for emergency treatment, five are reported to be in intensive care and twelve remain in critical condition.

President John Dramani Mahama later confirmed that all six victims were female, and announced a temporary suspension of the recruitment exercise in Accra to allow for investigations.

Sources suggest the high turnout was influenced by the elation surrounding the recruitment drive, following a one-week extension due to online application portal problems. Eyewitnesses reported large numbers arriving as early as 2 a.m., creating long queues that became difficult to manage when entry gates opened. The military’s immediate response included cordoning off the area and blocking roads leading to the stadium to facilitate ambulance access and quell further unrest. Government officials have pledged a thorough inquiry into the incident, which raises serious concerns about crowd-management practices during mass enlistment events.

The tragedy casts a spotlight on Ghana’s pressing youth-employment crisis. With thousands of young Ghanaians competing for limited positions in the security services, recruitment events carry immense social and economic weight. Analysts note that, for many, enlistment represents one of the few accessible stable job options—heightening the risk when safety measures falter.

For families and communities, the loss of life and injuries bring immediate emotional and financial burdens. The incident may also affect public confidence in the fairness and safety of military recruitment schemes.

The Ghana Armed Forces have confirmed a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede, including the adequacy of crowd control and screening protocols.

Authorities have promised support and compensation for affected families and pledged to review and reform future recruitment logistics.

With the recruitment in Accra suspended temporarily, questions remain about how and when the process will resume—and how risks will be mitigated.