No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive

At least six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.

Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.

The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.

Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.