At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared 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 additional individuals were hurt, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
