Fatal GAF recruitment exercise: Minority gives government 2 weeks to determine cause of incident

The Minority in Parliament has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the death of six young Ghanaians during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.

In a statement dated November 12, signed by Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the group described the incident as a preventable national tragedy and called for immediate answers, transparency and accountability from the authorities.

“These young people came with hope and patriotic zeal to serve their nation. They deserved protection, not peril,” the statement said.

The Minority condemned what it described as a catastrophic failure of crowd control and safety planning, adding that such an event must never be allowed to happen again. It demanded an independent investigation with findings made public within fourteen days, insisting that the families of the deceased and the nation deserve openness and honesty, not secrecy.

The statement also urged the Ghana Armed Forces to suspend all recruitment exercises until proper safety and emergency procedures are established. It called for those responsible for the tragedy, whether through negligence or poor planning, to face appropriate administrative and legal consequences.

The group further proposed reforms for future recruitment processes, including online registration, staggered attendance times, certified venue assessments and visible medical support at all recruitment sites. “The pursuit of national service must never be marred by tragedy or compromised by poor safety standards,” the Minority stated.

Earlier that morning, thousands of young Ghanaians had gathered at the El-Wak Sports Stadium to take part in the military recruitment exercise. Witnesses reported overcrowding and confusion as the gates opened, leading to panic and a stampede. Several people fell and were trampled before help arrived. Six were confirmed dead, while many others were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries.

The Minority extended condolences to the grieving families and called for compensation and psychological support for the victims. “Six lives have been lost. Six families are mourning. Six futures have been extinguished,” Afenyo-Markin said. “This is a national tragedy that demands decisive action and unwavering accountability.”

The tragedy has sparked a national conversation about safety at public events, the pressures of unemployment and the responsibility of state institutions to protect citizens. It has also placed the Ghana Armed Forces under intense public scrutiny, raising questions about how such a disciplined institution could allow such a lapse in safety.

As investigations begin and the dust settles over El-Wak Stadium, the pain remains heavy. The nation waits to see if this will be the moment that truly brings change or if, once again, promises of accountability will fade as the memory of those six lives slowly slips away.