Tragedy struck at El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, as a stampede during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise left at least six people dead.
Thousands of young Ghanaians had gathered at the stadium hoping to enlist, but overcrowding and intense pushing at entry points triggered chaos. Multiple injuries were reported alongside the fatalities.
The six victims have been taken to the 37 Military Hospital morgue, and several others are receiving treatment in the hospital’s casualty ward. Security personnel have cordoned off the stadium area, with major roads blocked to ensure order and allow rescue operations.
The recruitment exercise had been extended by one week after technical issues on the portal delayed some applicants from completing their submissions. In a statement, Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations for the military, said:
“The Ghana Armed Forces extended the recruitment deadline to accommodate applicants affected by technical challenges during the initial phase.”
Preliminary reports indicate that poor crowd management and the overwhelming turnout contributed to the deadly stampede. Investigations are expected to determine the exact cause and prevent similar incidents in future recruitment exercises.
