President John Dramani Mahama has announced that all six people who died in the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, were females.

Speaking in Kumasi during the launch of the 'Nkoko Nkitinkitin' programme, the president expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced the immediate suspension of the ongoing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise in Accra to allow for a comprehensive review of the process.

“At this difficult moment, we mourn the loss of six young Ghanaian ladies whose lives were cut short in their quest for opportunity,” President Mahama said.

“I have directed that the recruitment process in Accra be halted immediately while the system is reviewed to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy,” he added.

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President Mahama emphasised the government’s commitment to accountability and reform in recruitment practices.

“We must learn from this painful episode because safety and dignity must never be compromised in the pursuit of employment,” the president said.

The stampede occurred on November 12, 2025, during a GAF enlistment exercise that drew thousands of hopeful applicants. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos at the entry gates as large crowds surged forward, resulting in the deadly crush.

Medical officials at the 37 Military Hospital confirmed that the bodies of the six deceased women have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue, while several injured applicants are receiving treatment at the emergency ward.

Security personnel quickly cordoned off the area, blocked nearby roads, and coordinated rescue efforts to restore calm.

The tragedy happened shortly after the GAF extended its recruitment deadline by a week, citing technical challenges with its online portal, a move that reportedly increased the number of applicants who appeared in person to verify their submissions.

Although official investigations are ongoing, preliminary reports suggest that inadequate crowd management and the overwhelming turnout were the primary causes of the disaster.









JKB/MA

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