No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
