The Acting Minister of Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed that some of the casualties in the stampede incident at the El-Wak Sports Stadium during the military recruitment exercise were not related to the enlistment.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on November 12, 2025, Dr Ato Forson stated that 34 persons were affected, some of whom were applicants who had come for the enlistment exercise, while others were not related to it at all.
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“Unfortunately, despite these measures, a stampede occurred at the El-Wak facility in Accra. I regret to report that there were 34 persons who were direct casualties, some of whom are potential recruits and others, Mr Speaker, unfortunately are not related to the enlistment at all,” he disclosed.
The minister also indicated that six fatalities were recorded, with five others in critical condition, while others had been stabilised and were under medical observation.
Dr Ato Forson also revealed that although unrelated to the stampede incident, one person was hospitalised in Kumasi during a separate military recruitment exercise.
He added that the occurrence of the incident has led to a decision to suspend the recruitment process in Accra.
“Mr Speaker, out of these 34 casualties, six persons have been confirmed dead. Mr Speaker, five are critical and as we speak, they are in the ICU. Right Honorable Speaker, 12 are fairly critical. Mr Speaker, the rest are stable and under observation.
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“Additionally, there’s a reported case of one person hospitalised at the Kumasi recruitment center, though that incident is unrelated to the stampede in Accra. Mr Speaker, in light of this development, the Ministry of Defence has halted the recruitment process in Accra until further notice,” he added.
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