Six Dead, Several Injured in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Recruitment Exercise

A tragic stampede at the Ghana Armed Forces 2025/2026 recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra has claimed the lives of six potential recruits and left several others injured early Wednesday morning.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed the deaths of six individuals following a stampede that occurred ahead of its 2025/2026 recruitment screening exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Public Relations and signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General for Public Relations, the tragic incident happened around 6:20 a.m. when an unexpected surge of applicants breached security protocols and rushed into the stadium before the official commencement of the exercise.

The GAF noted that several people sustained injuries and are currently receiving emergency medical care at the 37 Military Hospital. Medical teams are said to be working tirelessly to stabilize the affected individuals, while efforts are underway to contact the families of the deceased.

“The Ghana Armed Forces extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured,” the statement read. The military also assured the public that investigations into the incident are ongoing and further updates will be communicated.

The recruitment exercise, which was scheduled to begin later in the morning, has drawn attention to safety measures and crowd control protocols at national recruitment events.

Written By Bernard Nii Ade Quaye | Rays of Hope Radio