Military Confirms Six Dead in El-Wak Recruitment Stampede, Rejects Claims of 12 Fatalities
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has pushed back against unverified media buzz claiming the death toll from a deadly stampede at El-Wak Sports Stadium has climbed to 12, insisting the official count stands firm at six.
In a quick social media update amid the chaos of their 2025/2026 recruitment drive, GAF warned the public to ignore any higher figures floating around online and in news reports.
“Reference the unfortunate incident that occurred at El-Wak Sports Stadium this morning, 12 Nov 25, concerning the recruitment exercise, the death toll remains six,” the statement read. “The public should treat any other reportage as false. The Ghana Armed Forces will keep updating the general public of any developments.”
The tragedy unfolded early Wednesday when thousands of eager applicants—desperate for a shot at military service—overwhelmed security at the Accra venue, breaching barriers and sparking a crush that injured dozens. Preliminary probes point to the rush starting around 6:20 a.m., before screenings even kicked off.
GAF’s initial alert confirmed the six deaths—all potential recruits—and noted the wounded were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for urgent care.
Families of the victims are being notified, and medics are on high alert to stabilize everyone. The force sent heartfelt condolences, vowing a thorough investigation to prevent repeats.
President John Dramani Mahama, showing solidarity, dropped by the hospital to check on survivors and chat with staff, a move that’s drawn praise amid the heartbreak.
The recruitment push, extended by a week due to earlier portal glitches, highlights Ghana’s youth job crunch—many see the military as a rare lifeline. But today’s horror has sparked calls for better crowd management and a national rethink on unemployment as a security risk.
GAF has suspended the El-Wak exercise for now, urging applicants to stay tuned for safe rescheduling. Stick to official channels for the facts as this story develops.
