The government has directed that families of the six applicants who died in Wednesday’s El‑Wak Stadium stampede submit names of qualified relatives for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), officials announced.
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 injured many others.
During a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim in the Central Region, Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi said that President John Dramani Mahama has instructed that each affected family be given an automatic slot.
“Due to what happened, the recruitment in Accra has been suspended by the President, so that we will ensure that measures are put in place to avoid a repeat of such incidents.”
“The President has sent us to inform you that the State will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements for the families. The President has also asked us to inform you that all those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process, their families should present a replacement for those people to be absorbed into the military. So, the authorities representing the government in the region will engage you in that regard for the family to decide on who can be enrolled into the military.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and affirmed that the state will ensure all six victims receive befitting burials in honour of their service.
“The government wants you to know that you’re not in this alone; the whole nation is affected. Your children also belong to the State. The President wants you to know that he’s standing with you in this period of mourning. You’re not alone. His Excellency John Mahama stands with you through this painful period.”
The arrangements in place for the deceased and the injured ones, the President says, he’s standing with all of them. Those who require a befitting burial, he will stand with the support of the family to give them a befitting burial. And those who are also recovering at 37 Military Hospital, the government is bearing all the cost until such time that they fully recover.”
The GAF preliminary inquiry indicates that the stampede was triggered when applicants breached security protocols and rushed through gates ahead of schedule.
The government’s gesture seeks to honour the memories of those who died in pursuit of serving their country and to reassure families of its commitment to their welfare.
About the Author
