No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
