Twelve job seekers have died, with several others injured, following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during the Ghana Armed Forces’ 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
According to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces, the tragedy occurred around 6:20 a.m. when an unexpected surge of applicants breached security protocols and forced their way through the gates ahead of the scheduled screening.
The bodies of the 12 deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others are receiving emergency treatment at the facility’s emergency ward. Security personnel have cordoned off the area, with the military blocking all major roads leading to El-Wak Stadium to maintain order and facilitate rescue operations.
The Ghana Armed Forces has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The statement, signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, acting Director General of Public Relations, assured the public that investigations are underway and further updates will be communicated in due course.
Sources within the top military ranks have disclosed to MyJoyOnline that most of the deceased were young female job seekers.
The sources further revealed that the victims sustained severe injuries, including broken necks, legs, and arms before passing on.
According to the account, military police were deployed to the venue to manage the screening exercise.
However, only one side of the double metal gate was opened, forcing the large crowd of applicants to push through a single entrance, a situation that ultimately led to the tragic stampede.
