The Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has called on the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to offer automatic enlistment to the families of victims of last Wednesday’s tragic recruitment stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Dr Ayew Afriye described the incident as “deeply heartbreaking” and urged the government to take a humane and compassionate approach in dealing with the affected families.

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“There is nothing you can do that would completely appease them, but there is a way to give the families a sense of belonging and show that the government stands with them,” he said.

The stampede, which occurred during GAF’s recruitment exercise, claimed six lives, with several others sustaining injuries, according to an official statement from the Armed Forces.

The injured are receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital, with some said to be in critical condition.

Dr Ayew Afriye proposed that the families of those who lost their lives should be offered “replacement opportunities,” allowing one member from each bereaved household to be enlisted into the Armed Forces in honour of the deceased.

He further suggested that injured survivors who recover fully and meet the physical requirements should be given first priority in subsequent recruitment exercises.

“If not fit, then their families must replace them,” he added.

The Effiduase-Asokore MP emphasised that such an initiative would not only serve as a humane form of compensation but also help restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens.

While acknowledging that financial compensation alone might not be sufficient, Dr Ayew Afriye maintained that automatic enlistment would offer a lasting and dignified way to honour the victims and support their families.

Background

The tragic incident at the El-Wak Sports Stadium occurred on November 12, 2025, when thousands of jobseekers thronged the venue for the GAF’s latest recruitment exercise. Witnesses reported that the crowd surged after the gates opened, leading to a stampede.

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The Ghana Armed Forces have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.