At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive

At least 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.

The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who remain in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.

Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.