At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
