At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
