No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
