At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
