The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially confirmed that six people have died and several others have been injured following a stampede during its ongoing recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
According to a statement from the GAF, a total of 28 applicants were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for emergency treatment. Out of this number, six have been confirmed dead, five are currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 12 remain in critical condition.
This clarification follows earlier conflicting reports suggesting that 12 people had died in the incident.
The tragedy unfolded when thousands of eager applicants stormed the stadium in a bid to secure enlistment into the Armed Forces. The large turnout, coupled with intense pushing and overcrowding at entry points, led to chaos and a deadly stampede.
Security personnel quickly moved in to cordon off the area and block access roads leading to the stadium to restore order and assist in rescue operations.
The incident occurred amid an extended recruitment period announced by the GAF, which had initially been set to close on October 31, 2025. The deadline was extended by one week after technical difficulties affected the online application process.
In an earlier statement, Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, explained that the extension was meant to allow all applicants a fair opportunity to apply.
“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 read.
Authorities say investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to ensure better crowd control and safety measures during future recruitment exercises.
- The Ghana Armed Forces has extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
