Providing an update, Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director-General of the Department of Public Relations of the GAF, said three of the five individuals initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have stabilised and been moved to other wards.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Captain Arhin revealed that a total of 29 people were rushed to the hospital on the day of the incident, with medical personnel working tirelessly to prevent further loss of life.

“The injured are doing well and receiving the best care. On the day of the incident, we had five people in the ICU. Three of them are now stable and have been moved to another ward,” she said.

She added that while some victims have been discharged, 16 remain in the hospital under close observation.

“Of the 29 people brought to the hospital, 16 are still admitted. Others have gone home and continue to receive care. We are praying that no more lives are lost and are giving all patients the best attention possible,” Captain Arhin said.

She also confirmed that the 37 Military Hospital, with government support, is covering the full medical cost for all victims affected by the stampede.

“The 37 Military Hospital is covering all bills for anyone injured in the stampede, with support from the government,” she assured.

The tragic stampede occurred when thousands of applicants rushed into the stadium on Wednesday, November 12, to participate in the military recruitment exercise. The overwhelming crowd at entry points triggered chaos, leading to multiple injuries and fatalities.

She was accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Gyemfi, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong.

The Vice President spent time at the various wards, interacting with each of the injured and offering words of comfort. She assured them of government’s full support as they undergo treatment and recovery.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang commended the medical personnel at the 37 Military Hospital for their swift intervention following the incident and emergency staff for their professionalism and dedication.

She acknowledged that their timely response was crucial in stabilizing the situation and providing urgent care to the victims.

“We are deeply grateful for the tireless work of the medical team. Their commitment at this very difficult moment has been truly commendable,” she said.

The Vice President further extended her thoughts and prayers to all injured persons and their families, reiterating that the nation stands with them as investigations into the tragic event continue.

Authorities are expected to provide an update on the ongoing inquiry in the coming days.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Minister revealed that she had already met with the Deputy Defence Minister to harmonise their interventions following her visit to the 37 Military Hospital, where many of the injured were first treated.

According to her, the joint engagement was necessary to ensure that government’s support to victims and their relatives remains coordinated and responsive.

“We laid bare our plans and they also told us theirs, so we could harmonise everything,” she said.

Madam Lartey disclosed that after the hospital visit, her team proceeded to the homes of some victims, describing the encounters as deeply emotional.

“We went to Miss Amoateng’s house in Adenta. Another was in Kpone Katamanso, and it was a very difficult moment for the families,” she recounted.

She added that the outreach would continue in the Central Region, where more affected families reside.

“This is not an easy moment for any of the families, but we have encouraged and assured them of the government’s commitment. We are with them during this period,” she stressed.

The Minister appealed to the media to exercise sensitivity in their coverage, noting that families are still processing shock, fear, and grief.

“We should respect the emotions and everything they are experiencing in our reportage because they are going through a lot,” she urged.

Madam Lartey reaffirmed that both the government and her ministry are committed to supporting the victims and their relatives through recovery and healing.

She also called on the public to keep the affected families in their prayers.

“I will encourage them, and I urge all Ghanaians to bear them up in prayers,” she said, emphasising that the nation must stand together in compassion.

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Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight, Mr. Kumadoe said the gesture, though generous in principle, risks deepening the grief of families who are yet to bury their loved ones.

“That one is also a little unfortunate,” he said. “The mothers who send their children who lost their lives did not send them because they want replacement for them, particularly when we have not buried them. So in as much as it’s an opportunity, and people may say it looks sweet, the timing is a little bit of an issue.”

He argued that presenting the offer at such an emotionally sensitive moment could be misinterpreted or even rejected by the grieving families.

Mr. Kumadoe also raised concerns about compensation arrangements for the injured, noting that the nature and degree of injuries could determine whether civilian employment or another form of support is appropriate.

His comments follow government’s announcement that families of the six young applicants who died in Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Stadium should submit names of qualified relatives for GAF recruitment.

The tragedy occurred during a mass recruitment documentation and body selection exercise, where a sudden surge of applicants led to a deadly crush that killed six and left many injured.

During a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim in the Central Region, Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had directed that each affected family be offered an automatic slot in the Armed Forces as a form of support.

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The tragic incident occurred during a recruitment exercise when hundreds of hopeful applicants surged into the stadium for documentation and body selection, leading to a deadly rush that claimed six lives and left many others injured.

During a visit to one of the bereaved families in Eyan Maim, Central Region, Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Gyamfi said President John Dramani Mahama has instructed that each affected family be given an automatic recruitment slot.

Meanwhile, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and assured that the state will provide befitting burials for the six victims in honour of their service.

A preliminary inquiry by the GAF indicates that the stampede was triggered when applicants breached security protocols and rushed through the gates ahead of schedule.

The government’s gesture aims to honour the memories of those who lost their lives in the pursuit of serving their country and to reassure families of its commitment to their welfare.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, she recalled how she accompanied her daughter at dawn but left her halfway as Agyeiwaa headed to the El-Wak Stadium.

“I was the one who accompanied her at dawn, but I left her along the way when she said she could continue to the stadium,” she said.

She explained that her daughter arrived at the venue around 4:15 a.m., but by 7 a.m. she had tried calling her several times without success.

“I kept calling her, but she didn’t pick up. I became worried,” she added.

Her fears deepened when her eldest child informed her that someone called, to say Agyeiwaa’s bag and other belongings were with her.

“I asked how her things got to the person, and I was told to come to El-Wak. When we got there, we were told some people had been rushed to 37 Hospital and others had even died. I was alarmed and started crying because I didn’t know whether my daughter was alive or dead,” she recounted.

She said after President Mahama visited the scene, relatives were asked to proceed to the emergency ward at the 37 Military Hospital to check on their loved ones.

“That was when I saw that my daughter was part of those injured and lying in the emergency ward. All the parents there were sad. The situation was very painful to watch,” she said.

According to her, she only became calm when her daughter finally regained consciousness.

“I wasn’t okay until she opened her eyes, mentioned my name, and said ‘Ma’. That was when I felt a bit relieved,” she stated.

She said her daughter was discharged late on Thursday, but according to her, they could not immediately return home because the journey back to Kasoa was too long and her daughter was too weak to travel.

She narrated that when they wanted to stay, after they were discharged, one nurse questioned why they were still around.

“One nurse told me that government had taken care of the medical bills, so was it transportation that was a problem for us to go home after they discharged us at night? I was very angry when she said that,” she said.

However, she noted that a soldier intervened and told them it was safer to sleep over and leave the next morning.

“The night shift nurses were also very nice. They told us to stay and leave the following day,” she added.

She said on Thursday around 3 a.m., she woke her daughter up so they could prepare to go home.

Reports from the scene indicate that the recruitment exercise, which attracted thousands of applicants nationwide, turned chaotic at several centres, leading to stampedes and numerous injuries. In Kumasi and Accra, several young people reportedly collapsed while trying to enter overcrowded venues.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that the death toll from the El-Wak Stadium incident remains at six.

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, she narrated the traumatic experience her daughter has endured.

“My daughter is still in pain,” she said. “She was injured in her legs, her eyes and her chest. She told me there is blood in her eyes and she keeps complaining that her whole body hurts.”

According to her, Benedicta was taken to the eye clinic on Thursday, where she was given medication, and the pain in one of her legs became unbearable.

“One of her legs was hurting so much she couldn’t handle it at all. When they admitted her at the 37 Military Hospital, she told them about the pain. They cleaned it with a medication they called ‘spirit’, but she was still complaining” she said.

Madam Fosuah said her daughter had been on admission at the 37 Military Hospital from Wednesday until she was discharged on Thursday evening — even though she still struggled to walk properly.

“She couldn’t walk well, yet they discharged her saying she was okay. But she was still in pain, so we had to take her to another hospital. They treated the wound and dressed it. The sore is not very big, but the pain was too much for her,” she explained.

She added that during the stampede, many people stepped on her daughter’s chest, leaving her breathless.

“People stepped on her chest. She didn’t even know what was happening until she was brought to the hospital,” she said.

Madam Fosuah also recalled the terrifying moment doctors told her that Benedicta was unconscious.

“When we got to 37, they told us my daughter was in a coma. She couldn’t speak at all. It was around 4 a.m. on Thursday dawn that she finally opened her eyes and asked, ‘Where am I? Where are my slippers?’ That was the first thing she said,” she recounted.

Despite the pain and the struggle, she praised the staff of the 37 Military Hospital for their support.

“The nurses were very nice to us,” she said. “One nurse even came to attend to her when she complained of pain, but she was still hurting when we left.”

Reports indicate that the recruitment exercise attracted thousands of young people across the country, resulting in chaotic scenes at some centres. In both Accra and Kumasi, several applicants reportedly collapsed while pushing to enter overcrowded venues.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces have clarified that the death toll from Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium remains six.

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The victims were among thousands of young Ghanaians who thronged the venue for the 2025/2026 Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise.

The Minister noted that while both men and women participated in the exercise, women bore the brunt of the tragedy.

“You realise that most people were there, but the most affected were women. Even though we are all human beings, our biological makeups are different,” she explained.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Madam Lartey said the incident highlighted the need for security institutions to adopt a more gender-responsive approach when organising mass recruitment activities.

“I was telling the senior female officers that even in this day and age, with so much awareness of gender issues, we still face challenges during recruitment and employment,” she said.

She encouraged the military to learn from the incident and adjust their procedures to better protect applicants, particularly women.

“I was urging them that based on the experiences from this exercise, they should reduce the physical demands involved in military recruitment processes for upcoming exercises,” she added.

The Krowor Member of Parliament (MP) emphasised that gender considerations must be integrated into all national systems.

“It is about time that in every facet of our lives, we look at things through a gender lens,” she noted.

She stressed that recognising gender differences is not about inequality but about ensuring fairness and safety.

“Inasmuch as we want to say that everybody is the same, we must give gender consideration to women where it matters most,” she concluded.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem following the tragic incident at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise, the Minister stressed that some victims who leave the hospital prematurely may still be at risk.

She revealed that two female applicants were treated and discharged because they believed their conditions were minor, only to return later with severe chest pains, highlighting the importance of thorough follow-ups.

“I will urge all parents to go back to the 37 Military Hospital instead of going to other facilities. We must ensure their full recovery,” she said.

Madam Lartey noted that the hospital remains the primary facility equipped to assess, monitor, and manage the victims’ conditions. She emphasised that the medical team will provide referrals only when necessary.

“So any pain or challenge they are experiencing, they should go back to 37. If there is any referral, it will be given when necessary,” she added.

The Minister also assured parents that President Mahama remains committed to supporting the affected families and urged the public to focus on proper medical care rather than emotional reactions.

“I have monitored the work being done, and the health workers are doing well. So instead of attaching an emotional phase, we must stick to the treatment,” she said.

Her call comes as national attention remains on the tragic deaths and injuries recorded during the recruitment stampede, with health and security authorities working to prevent further casualties.

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Her comments on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem came in response to a concern raised by a mother, Abena Fosuah, who alleged that a nurse at the 37 Military Hospital asked her and her injured daughter to leave the facility late Thursday night, despite their long journey from Kasoa Ofaakor.

According to Abena, it took the intervention of a doctor before they were allowed to remain at the hospital for the night.

Reacting to the issue, the Minister said she had not yet heard the full account from both parties and would need more information before drawing conclusions.

“I haven’t listened to the other side and I don’t have enough facts to counter or otherwise,” she said.

She noted that since the mother herself acknowledged that some of the health workers were doing well, the public must avoid generalizing the actions of a few.

“But since she has confirmed that some of the health workers are doing well, we must not be quick to generalize,” she added.

The Minister encouraged the mother to return to the hospital if her daughter experiences any additional complications and assured that she would personally follow up with the facility’s management.

“If she returns and there is any further issue, the mother must reach out. I will also engage the leadership of the hospital to relay the concerns of some parents so we can handle things better,” she stated.

Madam Lartey stressed that the incident was an unfortunate accident, urging families, health workers, and the public to approach the situation with empathy.

“Because we all didn’t expect this. It was an accident that happened, and we must be compassionate towards one another. We are all humans, and in dealing with such situations, we must exercise restraint,” she said.

She also highlighted standard hospital procedures during patient discharge.

“I know that before someone is discharged, the time and everything is communicated to the family. So I don’t know what happened with this case,” she noted.

The Minister assured that her ministry will continue to monitor the situation and work with relevant authorities to improve care, communication, and support for all victims of the recruitment stampede.

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The stampede, which took place on November 12, 2025, claimed six lives, left five applicants in critical condition, and caused multiple other injuries.

In a statement, GhISEP extended condolences to the families who lost loved ones and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The organisation noted that the incident has raised urgent concerns about safety planning for mass gatherings, particularly national recruitment exercises that attract large crowds.

According to GhISEP, the tragedy underscores the need for stronger safety systems and comprehensive emergency preparedness to prevent similar events in the future.

The group commended the Ministry of Defence for suspending the recruitment exercise, describing the decision as a responsible step to avoid further harm.

GhISEP called for a full investigation to determine the cause of the stampede and to recommend measures to protect applicants at future exercises. The institute emphasized that incidents of this nature can be significantly reduced with proper planning, detailed risk assessments, and clearly defined safety arrangements.

The organisation also announced its readiness to work closely with the Ministry of Defence and other stakeholders in reviewing the current system to ensure safer recruitment processes.

GhISEP said its safety experts are prepared to support the committee that will be examining the incident, offering technical advice to help strengthen future recruitment processes.

The statement added that GhISEP is eager to be part of the team that will design more effective safety protocols, ensuring that applicants’ well-being is always prioritised. The institute emphasised that its experience in safety and environmental management can play a meaningful role in creating safer environments at major public events.

GhISEP further urged all 15 recruitment centres across the country, where exercises are still ongoing, to immediately evaluate and strictly follow safety guidelines to protect applicants. The organisation stressed that authorities must ensure strong protective measures to prevent a repeat of the tragedy witnessed at El-Wak.

The institute reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safety and environmental best practices nationwide, adding that it will continue advocating for a stronger culture of safety in all sectors.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Bimbilla Member of Parliament revealed that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) plans to recruit only 4,000 people this year, despite receiving over 20,000 applications.

Mr. Nitiwul said he accompanied the Speaker of Parliament to the 37 Military Hospital on Wednesday evening to visit the victims and was heartbroken by what he witnessed.

“I was very sad,” he said. “We have contributed in a small way to the problem, because there are alternatives we could have used to prevent 20,000 to 30,000 people rushing for jobs meant for only 4,000 people.”

He described the situation as a reflection of Ghana’s broader economic challenges, where limited job opportunities push thousands of desperate youth toward any available opening, regardless of the risks involved.

“The figures are frightening, so I don’t want to go into it. But if we had other jobs available and created in the private sector and other areas, some of them wouldn’t have gone there,” he lamented.

Mr. Nitiwul said the tragedy underscores the country’s inability to build a resilient economy that provides diverse employment opportunities. “We haven’t been able to build the economy we all want — one that will not allow people to rush for a single job opportunity,” he stated.

The former minister’s comments add to growing calls for systemic reforms to tackle unemployment and restore hope among Ghana’s jobless youth.

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JoyNews sources within the military have confirmed that new commanders have been appointed to oversee the recruitment process once it resumes, as part of measures to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the ongoing probe.

Background

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 12, during a GAF recruitment screening at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. Thousands of hopeful applicants, some travelling from across the country, arrived at dawn, well before the scheduled start of the exercise.

A sudden surge at one of the entry gates triggered a stampede, resulting in the deaths of six young women and injuries to several others. The wounded were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital and nearby facilities for emergency care.

Immediate Response and Suspension of Recruitment

Following the tragedy, the Ghana Armed Forces announced the suspension of recruitment activities in the Greater Accra Region and constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede.

President John Dramani Mahama has also directed that the nationwide recruitment exercise be put on hold pending the outcome of the investigations. The Board is tasked with reviewing crowd-control measures, the conduct of officers on duty, and the overall safety protocols during the exercise.

A similar stampede reportedly occurred at the Babayara Stadium in Kumasi, where the exercise also took place. While no deaths were recorded, nearly 20 people were injured.

Wider Lessons and Public Reaction

Security analysts and governance experts have long cautioned about the risks of overcrowding at single recruitment centres. They have called for decentralised recruitment, strict batch scheduling, and improved crowd-management systems.

Families of the victims, civil society groups, and community leaders have demanded accountability, insisting that lessons must be learned to prevent future tragedies. Religious and local leaders have also urged compassion and support for the affected families.

The Board of Inquiry will review the full sequence of events, assess the adequacy of safety protocols, and determine any administrative or criminal lapses that contributed to the stampede. Its findings are expected to guide major reforms in the planning and execution of national recruitment exercises.

For now, recruitment in Accra remains suspended until the Armed Forces complete their internal review and release the Board’s report.

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Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Mr. Owusu said the government must address unemployment, which he described as the root cause of the overwhelming response to recruitment exercises.

“We have been lackadaisical. We have not been truthful to ourselves as a country. Corruption is the manifestation of some of these things,” he said.

He added that official claims of job creation have not matched the reality on the ground:

“You will remember, year in and year out, be it NPP or NDC, what we have been hearing is that we have created 2 million jobs, 3 million jobs, 4 million jobs. If these numbers were indeed true, we would not be experiencing the kind of numbers that poured out to take part in military recruitment. I have looked at a number of them, I have interviewed some of the prospective recruits, and I can tell you that they are not interested in the military,” he said.

Mr. Owusu emphasised that the lack of jobs is the main reason for the high turnout:

“The only motivation there is that they do not have jobs. That is the only motivation. And they see it as an avenue or a stepping stone to put body and soul together. That said, it means we have to be serious. We must stop politicking and go into the nitty-gritty of why governance… Year in and year out, see the amount of money that is stolen from the kitty that could have bettered the lives of these people.

See how we invest those monies, our priority areas, look at what has been going on at the Public Accounts Committee. Billions of cedis are always thrown out when we could have used it to better the lives of these young ones. ”

He criticised the focus on statutory jobs, such as positions in the military and police, noting that these roles do not expand the economy:

“If you are employing people into the military and then the police service, you are not giving any jobs. These are statutory jobs that will always be there. That does not expand any economy. But yet, that is where we are fixated. I understand 4,000 people are going to be recruited, yet they sold 60,000 forms. So clearly, 56,000 of them would have lost their money—the money they used to pay for their forms—yet they will not find their way into the military. So it must be a learning,” Mr. Owusu said.

He welcomed the Finance Minister’s promise to focus on job creation but warned it must go beyond rhetoric:

“I’m very happy the Finance Minister says he is going to focus on job creation. It must not be lip service. There must be an actualization of that, and that will mean we must expand the base of the Ghanaian economy. We have been doing a guessberg economy for far too long, relying on gold and cocoa every now and then. That does not give us much; meanwhile, we have all the solutions,” he said.

Owusu concluded by urging the government to implement serious economic reforms and job creation initiatives to reduce desperation among young people, ensuring that recruitment into the military is driven by genuine interest rather than unemployment.

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Speaking to Adom News, Abena confirmed that Benedicta, a prospective recruit caught in the chaos, was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital, where she initially slipped into a coma.

“She went into a coma, but she has now regained consciousness. I am hopeful she will recover fully and return home soon,” Abena said, her voice filled with both relief and anxiety.

The mother of four said she has been praying fervently for her daughter’s recovery since the incident, which left six young women dead and several others injured after what GAF described as a breach of protocols at the venue.

Medical officials at the 37 Military Hospital say Benedicta is responding well to treatment and remains under close observation.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has suspended the ongoing recruitment exercise following a directive from President John Mahama and has set up a board to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede.

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The incident, which claimed six lives and left several others injured, has sparked widespread national mourning. Many of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dr. Adutwum extended his condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to all those affected, describing the tragedy as heartbreaking.

“I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise, with several others currently receiving treatment for injuries at the 37 Military Hospital,” he wrote.

The former Education Minister and NPP presidential aspirant offered words of comfort to the victims and their families, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking incident. To those receiving medical care, I wish you a swift and full recovery, and comfort for all who were present at the El-Wak Stadium during this distressing moment,” he added.

Dr. Adutwum also called for unity and strength during this period of national grief, praying for divine comfort and guidance for the affected families and the nation.

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In a message shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Prof. Naana extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede that occurred during yesterday’s military screening exercise. My heartfelt condolences go to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I wish the injured a swift and full recovery,” the Vice President wrote.

She further urged Ghanaians to rally around the affected families and support one another during this period of national grief.

“At this time, I urge all of us to keep the affected families in our thoughts and prayers. As the relevant state agencies respond to the incident, let us stand together and support one another through this difficult moment,” she added.

The Vice President’s message comes in the wake of the tragic incident at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, which claimed the lives of six young women and left several others injured during the ongoing recruitment exercise for the Ghana Armed Forces.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede that occurred during yesterday’s military screening exercise. My heartfelt condolences go to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I wish the injured a swift and full recovery.

At this time, I urge all of us to keep the…

— Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (@NJOAgyemang) November 13, 2025

Several others were also injured in the tragic incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning.

The President made the announcement during the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 12, after visiting some of the victims at the 37 Military Hospital.

Describing the incident as a heartbreaking loss for the nation, Mahama extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

He also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede, stressing the need to strengthen safety measures during public recruitment exercises and other national events.

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