The government has announced that families of the six women who lost their lives in the El-Wak Stadium stampede will be given the opportunity to nominate qualified relatives for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi disclosed this when he visited the family of one of the victims at Eyan Maim in the Central Region to extend condolences on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the President has directed that an automatic recruitment slot be made available to each bereaved family as part of efforts to support them during this difficult period.
“Following the tragic incident, the President has suspended the recruitment exercise in Accra to allow for improved safety measures. The State will also stand with the affected families during the burial and funeral arrangements,” he said.
He added that families of the victims who had aspired to join the military should identify a suitable replacement who will be enrolled into the GAF. Regional authorities are expected to engage the families to guide the process.
The stampede occurred when thousands of young applicants converged on the El-Wak Stadium to participate in the ongoing recruitment exercise. Overcrowding and intense pushing at entrance points led to chaos, resulting in multiple casualties.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed six deaths, while 28 injured persons were admitted to the 37 Military Hospital. Five victims remain in the Intensive Care Unit, with 12 others reported to be in critical condition.
