President John Dramani Mahama has described the tragic El-Wak stampede, which claimed six lives and injured several others, as preventable, stressing the urgent need for better planning and transparency in security service recruitment.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, during a courtesy visit from the Christian Council of Ghana, he said the lack of clear and fair recruitment processes had turned a life-changing opportunity for young Ghanaians into a dangerous situation.
“The El-Wak tragedy was avoidable. It just shouldn’t have happened,” President Mahama stated.
He noted that opaque procedures, unclear timelines, and sudden announcements had created confusion and overcrowding at recruitment venues.
While regional exercises in most parts of the country ran smoothly, Greater Accra and Ashanti faced serious challenges, he said, citing cases of injuries and near-fatal incidents.
“At El-Wak, the venue had only two entrances, which was insufficient for the number of applicants. The exercise should have been suspended and the plan reviewed,” he added.
The President confirmed that new measures are now in place, including capping the number of daily applicants at screening centres and opening multiple venues to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of future stampedes.
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