At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, 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 government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.