Six more people have been reported dead following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during an ongoing military recruitment exercise, bringing the total fatalities to 12 after the military had earlier confirmed six deaths.
Reports indicate that several others are currently in the ICU receiving treatment.
According to the military, the stampede occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the stadium in a desperate bid to secure enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The large crowd, coupled with intense jostling at the entry points, led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
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The bodies of the 12 deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others are receiving emergency treatment at the facility’s emergency ward. Security personnel have cordoned off the area, with the military blocking all major roads leading to El-Wak Stadium to maintain order and facilitate rescue operations.
The tragic incident occurred amid an extended recruitment period announced by the Ghana Armed Forces. The exercise, which was initially scheduled to close on October 31, 2025, had been extended by one week following technical challenges on the recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military explained that the extension was necessary to accommodate applicants who had experienced difficulties during the initial phase.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement read.
Authorities are yet to officially comment on the stampede, but preliminary reports suggest that poor crowd control and the overwhelming turnout contributed to the disaster.
Investigations are expected to be launched to determine the circumstances leading to the incident and prevent similar tragedies in future recruitment exercises.
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