No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges 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 visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
