BY Issah Olegor
The Ministry of Defence has announced a special intervention for the families of the six young women who lost their lives in the tragic El-Wak Sports Stadium recruitment stampede, offering them the opportunity to present qualified relatives for automatic enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The decision—described by officials as a humanitarian and compensatory gesture—was communicated by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, during a visit to the family of one of the deceased at Eyan Maim in the Central Region on Friday, November 14, 2025.
The stampede, which occurred during the nationwide GAF recruitment exercise, saw thousands of desperate young applicants massing at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra for documentation and verification.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes at the entry points as crowds surged in intense heat, overwhelming security personnel and breaching barriers.
The tragic outcome was the loss of six young women, all of whom had aspired to join the military. In addition, 28 people were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital, with five admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 12 others in critical condition.
The Ghana Armed Forces and government have since suspended the Accra recruitment exercise to allow for a full investigation and immediate corrective measures.
Mahama Directs State Support and Replacement Slots
The Deputy Minister, Brogya Genfi, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, conveyed the government’s condolences and assured affected families that the state will fully participate in and support funeral arrangements.
He further revealed President Mahama’s directive granting each bereaved family the right to propose a qualified relative—preferably someone who had long aspired to serve in uniform—as a replacement for the deceased.
This measure, he explained, is intended to honour the dreams of the victims who died while pursuing a career in the armed forces.
“The President has asked us to inform you that the State will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements,” the Deputy Minister told the grieving relatives.
“All those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process— their families should present a replacement who can be absorbed into the military.”
He added that the Central Regional authorities will continue engaging families to ensure the process is transparent, supportive and sensitive.
Recruitment in Accra Suspended as Probe Continues
Government officials confirmed that the President has ordered the suspension of the Accra recruitment exercise, insisting that no further activity will take place until investigators identify the lapses that led to the stampede.
