No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
