At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium 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 rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
