No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.
