Dreams Turn To Tragedy at El-Wak: 6 Dead, 5 in ICU, 12 Critical
…Mahama Orders Full-scale Investigation
Six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a stampede during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) 2025/2026 recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday.
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 were confirmed dead, five are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while twelve others remain in critical condition.
The tragic incident occurred around 6:20 a.m., when a sudden surge of applicants reportedly breached security barriers and forced their way into the stadium before the scheduled screening began.
“The unfortunate incident led to the death of six potential recruits and left many others injured. The injured are currently receiving emergency medical care at the 37 Military Hospital,” the GAF statement said.
Although the identities of the deceased have not yet been released, preliminary information indicates that most of the victims were young women.
President John Dramani Mahama, who visited the 37 Military Hospital to receive firsthand information, described the tragedy as “heartbreaking” and directed an immediate suspension of the recruitment exercise to allow for a full-scale investigation.
He was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, the Acting Minister of Defence, Cassiel Ato Forson, and other senior government officials.
Speaking later at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama confirmed that all six deceased victims were female and disclosed that a similar incident had occurred in Kumasi, where several people also sustained injuries during the nationwide exercise.
“As I speak to you, six have lost their lives and twelve are injured, and we are praying for their speedy recovery,” the President said. “Top military officials have confirmed that all six victims were young women. In Kumasi, the same thing happened, and people were injured.”
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the government would ensure accountability and improved safety in future recruitment processes.
President Mahama also instructed the Defence Ministry and the Military High Command to review the existing screening and crowd management procedures before resuming the exercise.
The Ghana Armed Forces has meanwhile expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery, emphasizing that measures are being implemented to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
Eyewitnesses at the El-Wak Stadium said the stampede began when security personnel opened the gates for entry, prompting a chaotic rush among the thousands of applicants who had gathered since dawn in hopes of securing a spot in the recruitment process.
