No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium 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," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
