No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
