No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.
