Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang led a high-level government delegation to the 37 Military Hospital to visit and offer support to the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during a military recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, November 12, resulted in the devastating loss of six young women and left numerous applicants seriously injured.
The visit focused on assuring the affected individuals and their families of the government’s support during their recovery, even as the government announced a temporary halt to all security recruitment activities pending an urgent safety review.
The Vice President was joined by senior defense and government officials, underscoring the gravity with which the administration views the tragedy.
Her delegation included:
-Ernest Brogya Gyemfi, Deputy Minister for Defence
-Major General William Agyapong, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
-Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President
-Prof. Opoku-Agyemang later took to social media to share her personal reflection on the visit and commend the medical team.
“I visited the victims of the stampede who are receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital. I was accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Brogya Gyemfi, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong. We spent time with each patient, offering words of encouragement and assuring them of our support as they recover.
I commend the doctors, nurses, and medical staff for their swift response and the dedicated care they continue to provide. Their commitment has been vital in stabilizing the situation during this difficult time.We continue to keep all affected individuals and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”
The 37 Military Hospital, known for its rapid trauma response capability, has been the central facility managing the critically injured victims since the incident occurred.
In a direct response to the safety failings observed at El-Wak, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, announced a swift and immediate decision to pause all ongoing security services recruitment exercises nationwide.
The recruitment processes, which were scheduled to continue from November 15, have been postponed until Monday, November 17.
This 48-hour window is intended to allow for a comprehensive review of safety measures, crowd control protocols, and operational procedures across all security agencies, ensuring that such a devastating loss of life is not repeated.
The incident highlights the intense pressure on Ghana’s security services, which often receive tens of thousands of applications for highly competitive recruitment drives, necessitating meticulous crowd management and planning that failed at the El-Wak Stadium.
The focus now shifts to institutional accountability and the implementation of robust safety standards before the recruitment process can safely resume.
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