Akufo-Addo grieves loss of young recruits after El-Wak stampede
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of six potential recruits during a military enlistment exercise in Accra, calling the incident a national tragedy that demands empathy and reflection.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (13 November) Akufo-Addo said he returned from Angola to the “devastating news” of the stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, where thousands of applicants had gathered for the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment.
“I convey to the bereaved families my deep condolences and wish the potential recruits in hospital a rapid recovery from their injuries, and indeed, from the accompanying trauma,” he wrote. “It is my hope that each day will bring you renewed strength. May the Lord be with us all at this difficult moment.”
The former president’s message follows growing public outrage and calls for accountability after the tragedy. Members of Parliament on the Defence and Interior Committee, led by Ranking Member Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, visited victims at the 37 Military Hospital and urged the government to suspend all nationwide recruitment exercises pending reforms.
Fordjour said the suspension would ensure a thorough review of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies and called for compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.
The government has yet to respond to the appeals, but pressure is mounting for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal stampede.
