No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, 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 show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
