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 gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
