No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
