A tragic stampede that occurred during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra has claimed the lives of six young women, military officials have confirmed.
The incident, which happened on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, has sent shockwaves across the nation as investigations continue into what led to the deadly crowd surge.
According to reports, thousands of hopeful applicants, mostly youth from various parts of the country, flooded the El-Wak Stadium in their bid to secure enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces.
The large turnout created intense congestion at the entrance points, resulting in pushing, shoving, and eventually, a fatal stampede.
Military sources have revealed that all six deceased persons were females, aged between 18 and 26 years. They reportedly suffocated after being trapped in the massive crowd during the rush to access the stadium. Several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with desperate applicants climbing over barricades and fences as security personnel struggled to control the surging crowd. “There were just too many people. Everyone was trying to enter at once, and before we realized, some people were falling and being trampled on,” one witness recounted.
The Ghana Armed Forces has since expressed deep regret over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military confirmed that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of the young women who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident at the El-Wak Sports Stadium. The institution is fully cooperating with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the tragedy,” the statement read.
Security personnel have since cordoned off the stadium and surrounding roads to maintain order and facilitate emergency operations. The recruitment exercise has also been temporarily suspended as authorities assess safety measures and crowd control strategies.
The stampede occurred amid an extended recruitment period, which the military had announced earlier due to technical challenges with its online portal. The extension, which moved the deadline from October 31 to November 7, 2025, was intended to allow more applicants to complete their submissions.
However, it appears to have drawn an overwhelming number of hopefuls, far exceeding the stadium’s capacity.
Health officials at the 37 Military Hospital have confirmed that several survivors remain in critical condition, with others being treated for minor injuries and trauma. Counselors have been deployed to support affected families and victims.
Public reaction to the incident has been one of sorrow and anger, with many Ghanaians calling for better organization and safety planning during national recruitment exercises. Civil society organizations and human rights advocates have urged the military to implement stricter crowd management protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As investigations continue, questions remain about how thousands of young applicants were allowed to converge in one location without sufficient safety arrangements.
The tragic loss of six promising young women has once again highlighted the desperate struggle among Ghana’s youth for limited employment opportunities a challenge that continues to put pressure on public recruitment systems.
Authorities have assured the public that findings from the ongoing investigation will be made public, and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure accountability.