No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
