The government is extending a special gesture to the families devastated by Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Stadium, asking relatives of the six deceased applicants to put forward qualified family members for immediate recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces, officials confirmed.
Authorities say the fatal crush occurred during a crowded documentation and body-selection exercise, where a rush of applicants forced their way into the stadium. Six people lost their lives and many others were injured in the chaos.
During a condolence visit to a bereaved family in Eyan Maim in the Central Region, Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi revealed that President John Dramani Mahama had instructed that each affected household receive an automatic enlistment slot.
“Due to what happened, the recruitment in Accra has been suspended by the President, so that we will ensure that measures are put in place to avoid a repeat of such incidents.”
He explained that the President had also directed the state to take charge of funeral support and ensure that the aspirations of the fallen applicants are honoured through their chosen relatives.
“The President has sent us to inform you that the State will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements for the families. The President has also asked us to inform you that all those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process, their families should present a replacement for those people to be absorbed into the military. So, the authorities representing the government in the region will engage you in that regard for the family to decide on who can be enrolled into the military.”
At the same gathering, Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Agnes Naa Momo Lartey described the tragedy as a national heartbreak. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honouring the victims with dignity.
“The government wants you to know that you’re not in this alone; the whole nation is affected. Your children also belong to the State. The President wants you to know that he’s standing with you in this period of mourning. You’re not alone. His Excellency John Mahama stands with you through this painful period.”
She added that the state would continue supporting both the injured and the families arranging funerals for the deceased.
“The arrangements in place for the deceased and the injured ones, the President says, he’s standing with all of them. Those who require a befitting burial, he will stand with the support of the family to give them a befitting burial. And those who are also recovering at 37 Military Hospital, the government is bearing all the cost until such time that they fully recover.”
A preliminary assessment by the Ghana Armed Forces, according to a report, suggests the stampede began when eager applicants ignored security barriers and forced their way through the gates ahead of the scheduled check-in.
Through this initiative, the government hopes to honour the aspirations of those who died while trying to serve Ghana and to reassure their families of continued state support.
