The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that six people have tragically died following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during an ongoing military recruitment exercise.
Earlier reports had suggested that up to 12 people had lost their lives, but the GAF has since clarified that six fatalities have been officially recorded.
According to a statement from the military, 28 applicants were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for medical treatment. Out of this number, six have been confirmed dead, five are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 12 remain in critical condition.
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How the Tragedy Happened
The stampede reportedly occurred when thousands of young Ghanaians gathered at the El-Wak Stadium in a desperate attempt to secure spots in the recruitment process. Overcrowding and poor crowd control at the entry points led to chaos, resulting in injuries and loss of life.
Security personnel swiftly cordoned off the area, and all major roads leading to the stadium were blocked to ensure order and facilitate rescue operations.
Extended Recruitment Period Cited
The incident comes amid an extended recruitment period announced by the GAF. The deadline for the exercise, originally set for October 31, 2025, had been extended by one week following technical issues with the recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military explained that the extension aimed to accommodate applicants who had experienced challenges during the initial application phase.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement said.
Investigations Underway
Authorities are yet to issue further comments on the incident, but preliminary reports point to overcrowding and inadequate crowd control as major contributing factors.
The Ghana Armed Forces has promised to launch a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy and ensure that such incidents are prevented in future recruitment exercises.
This heartbreaking event has left many Ghanaians in shock and mourning, as the country grapples with the implications of youth unemployment and the growing demand for military enlistment opportunities.
