President John Mahama has paid a visit to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra following the tragic El-Wak stampede on Wednesday, November 12.
President Mahama was accompanied by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Cassiel Ato Forson, Felix Kwakye and other government officials.
Mahama visited the 37 Military Hospital to obtain further information regarding the tragic stampede.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed six people have died in the ongoing military recruitment at the El-Wak Stadium.
Reports suggest the chaos occurred around 6:20 a.m. when applicants breached security protocols.
According to GAF, 28 people were taken to the 37 Military Hospital.
They further revealed that six people have died, with five in the ICU and another 12 in critical condition.
The information gathered suggests the six died as a result of a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.
According to reports, thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the El-Wak stadium in a desperate bid to secure enlistment into the Ghana military.
There was chaos as the large crowd jostled at the entry points, resulting in a stampede that led to multiple injuries and fatalities.
The information gathered suggests the bodies of the six deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
Several other potential military recruits are receiving emergency treatment at the facility’s casualty ward.
Security personnel have since cordoned off the area.
The military has also blocked all major roads leading to El-Wak Stadium to maintain order.
GAF, in an earlier statement, assured the public that medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilise the affected individuals and that arrangements are underway to notify the families of the deceased.
“The Ghana Armed Forces extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. Further updates will be communicated,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces had earlier announced the extension of its ongoing recruitment exercise for one week following challenges on the portal.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces statement, their decision to extend the deadline was a result of some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal.
It will be recalled that the Ghana Armed Forces announced that 12,000 personnel would be recruited in the nationwide exercise.
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, has announced the government’s plans to commence the recruitment of 12,000 personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces over the next three years, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s military and defence capabilities.
Brogya Genfi added that as part of the president’s dedication to fairness in the distribution of opportunities, the price of application forms has been slashed by 40% and the recruitment processes will be held at all regional levels.
Hon. Genfi stressed that recruitment into the GAF “is not for sale and will never be for sale,” warning against fraudulent syndicates exploiting the process.
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