The military recruitment exercise in the Greater Accra Region, which was suspended following the death of six persons in a stampede at the El-Wak Stadium, is set to resume on Thursday, November 2025.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), new measures have been put in place to ensure the exercise proceeds smoothly and to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

Six reported dead over stampede during military recruitment exercise

In a statement dated Monday, November 17, 2025, the Acting Director-General of Public Relations for the GAF, Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, stated that eight sub-centres have been created for the screening process at various locations.

“All Greater Accra potential recruits are hereby informed that the Ghana Armed Forces 2025/2026 recruitment exercise within the Greater Accra Region which was suspended last week resumes on Thursday 20 November 2025.

“As part of measures to ensure a seamless process, the screening will be done at 8 sub-centres within the following 5 locations; El-Wak Stadium - 2 Centres, Nicholson Park, Burma Camp - 2 Centres, Air Force Base, Burma Camp, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Teshie - 2 Centres, and Eastern Naval Command, Tema,” portions of the statement read.

The GAF indicated that applicants who qualify will be grouped into batches of 600, with each group receiving their reporting details for the exercise digitally.

“All qualified applicants in batches of 600 persons, will each receive an SMS specifying their reporting dates, batches and designated centres. They are also encouraged to check on the recruitment portal for updates. Applicants are strongly advised to strictly adhere to these instructions.”

GAF also cautioned guardians not to accompany their wards to the centres, stating that this measure is intended to prevent overcrowding.

“… Families and friends are cautioned not to accompany potential recruits to the screening centres to reduce congestion. Non-applicants will not be allowed entry to any of the centres,” it added.

About the stampede:

On November 12, 2025, a military enlistment exercise turned tragic when a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium claimed six lives of applicants.

The incident, according to GAF, occurred due to unexpected surge in the number of applicants who thronged the stadium.

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Reports added that applicants breached security protocols and rushed the stadium gates even before the scheduled start of the exercise.

Others were left injured and in critical condition.

MAG/EB

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