At least six people have lost their lives following a tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during an ongoing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise.
Thousands of hopeful applicants reportedly flooded the stadium in a desperate attempt to secure enlistment. The massive crowd and intense pushing at the entry gates led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
News Net Gh sources confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others are receiving emergency treatment at the facility’s casualty ward.
Security personnel swiftly cordoned off the area, blocking all major roads leading to the stadium to maintain order and facilitate rescue operations.
The incident occurred amid an extended recruitment period announced by the GAF. The exercise, originally set to close on October 31, 2025, had been extended by one week following technical issues with the online recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military said the extension was intended to give applicants facing challenges on the portal an additional opportunity to complete their applications.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the stampede, but initial reports point to poor crowd control and the overwhelming turnout as key factors behind the tragedy.
Investigations are expected to be launched to uncover the circumstances leading to the deadly incident and to prevent future occurrences during national recruitment exercises.