Six more people have died following a stampede at El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, bringing the total fatalities to 12, amid an ongoing military recruitment exercise.
This latest report follows an earlier confirmation of six deaths by the Ghana Armed Forces. Reports indicate that several others are currently receiving treatment in the ICU.
According to the military, the stampede occurred as thousands of young Ghanaians surged into the stadium in a desperate attempt to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The large crowd, combined with intense jostling at entry points, triggered chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and deaths.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others continue to receive emergency care at the hospital. Security personnel have cordoned off the area, and the military has blocked all major roads leading to El-Wak Stadium to maintain order and support rescue operations.
The incident occurred during an extended phase of the GAF’s recruitment exercise. The deadline, initially set for 31 October 2025, was extended by one week due to technical difficulties with the online recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the Ghana Armed Forces said the extension aimed to give affected applicants additional time to complete their registration. The statement read:
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period.”
