At least twelve people have died following a stampede at El-Wak Stadium during a military recruitment drive, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Accra on Wednesday,
Several others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the crowd surged suddenly when the gates opened, causing panic and chaos.
Security personnel struggled to control the situation, but the dense crowd made it difficult to prevent the fatalities.
Reports indicate that thousands of young Ghanaians had thronged El-Wak Stadium in a desperate bid to secure enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The large crowd, coupled with intense jostling at the entry points, led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities, according to reports.
The bodies of the twelve deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others are receiving emergency treatment at the facility’s casualty ward.
Security personnel have cordoned off the area, with the military blocking all major roads leading to El-Wak Stadium to maintain order and facilitate rescue operations.
The tragic incident occurred amid an extended recruitment period announced by the Ghana Armed Forces. The exercise, initially scheduled to close on October 31, 2025, had been extended by one week following technical challenges on the recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military explained that the extension was necessary to accommodate applicants who had experienced difficulties during the initial phase.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement read.
Authorities have yet to officially comment on the stampede, but preliminary reports suggest that poor crowd control and the overwhelming turnout contributed to the disaster.
Authorities are urging residents to stay calm and cooperate with rescue and emergency services, while expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.
