GAF Recruitment Stampede: Military failed to conduct public health risk assessment – Hon. Nana Ayew Afriye

Hon. Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore and Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Health Committee

Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore and Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Health Committee, Hon. Nana Ayew Afriye, has criticized the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for failing to undertake a proper public health risk assessment ahead of its recent nationwide recruitment exercise that resulted in a deadly stampede.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Hon. Ayew Afriye expressed deep concern over what he described as a “preventable tragedy,” insisting that the military high command should have deployed health personnel to the recruitment venues to manage the large crowds and respond to medical emergencies.

“The Ghana Armed Forces failed in their duty to assess and prepare for the public health risks associated with bringing together thousands of young people in confined spaces,” he said. “A simple precautionary measure such as stationing health officers and emergency response teams at all recruitment centres could have saved lives.”

The Effiduase/Asokore MP further appealed to the government to provide compensation and medical support to the victims and families affected by the incident.

“I am calling on the government to swiftly compensate the victims and families who have suffered from this unfortunate event,” he added. “We must show empathy and responsibility as a nation by ensuring that those affected are not left to bear the burden alone.”

Hon. Nana Ayew Afriye also urged security agencies to collaborate more closely with the Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in future public events to prevent similar occurrences.

“This is a lesson we must learn. Crowd management is not just about security—it’s about health and safety. Every major recruitment, concert, or political event must have a health risk assessment plan in place,” he emphasized.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/