The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has stressed the need for President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a substantive Defence Minister, noting that the acting minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is currently handling both the Defence and Finance portfolios, a situation he says is unsustainable.

He made this known on the Floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

"...The President who is the Commander in Chief may have to appoint a substantive Minister of Defence.Our very good friend here is acting defence and finance minister

"We can't have one ministry a casualty at the start of the year and then also along the way. I mean it's one too much for everybody. So probably this is the best time for the Commander in Chief to bring a defence ninister", he noted.

Dr Ayew Afriye also expressed disappointment in the Ghana Armed Forces for failing to anticipate the massive turnout at the El-Wak Sports Stadium during the recruitment exercise on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, describing the resulting stampede as both tragic and preventable.

"The Ghana Armed Forces failed in their duty to assess and prepare for the public health risks associated with bringing together thousands of young people in confined spaces.

“A simple precautionary measure such as stationing health officers and emergency response teams at all recruitment centres could have saved lives", he noted.

The Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore urged a thorough review of the processes that led to the tragedy, cautioned against politicizing the incident and called on the Ministry of Defence to consider compensating the families of the victims and briefing Parliament on safety measures at other regional recruitment centres to prevent future occurrences.



"I humbly submit to the acting division the acting defence minister that Minister, maybe in the compensation measure we may want to look at the families involved graciously.

"There's nothing that you do that would appease them but there is a way to get families have a sense of belonging and government being there for them for those who died, for those who had some injuries", he added.

The stampede occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when thousands of job seekers gathered at the stadium, resulting in six confirmed deaths and several others injured. Those injured are receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

President Mahama visits 37 Military Hospital following recruitment stampede

In response to the tragedy, the Ghana Armed Forces have suspended the ongoing recruitment exercise in Accra until further notice while investigations continue.

Officials have highlighted the need for improved risk and public health assessments, as well as support for the families affected by the incident.

Watch the video below:

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JKB/AM

President Mahama visits 37 Military Hospital to console El-Wak stampede victims