Just before Ghana could finish mulling over the failures that led to the helicopter crash on August 6, claiming the lives of eight gallant men, the nation has been hit with another tragedy.

A stampede occurred during screening for enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Wednesday, November 12, at the El-Wakstadium claiming the lives of six (6) and over twenty-eight (28) were left injured, with some confirmed to be in a critical condition.

During a visit to the victims of the stampede at the 37 Military Hospital on Thursday, November 13, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, donated GH¢100,000 to support the medical treatment of victims injured in the El-Wak Sports Stadium stampede.

Mr Bagbin, who was with a delegation of Parliament, explained that the gesture is Parliment’s way of showing solidarity with the affected families and help ease their financial burdens.

He said the gesture was to help alleviate the financial burden on the victims and demonstrate Parliament’s solidarity with affected families.

The Speaker also expressed grave concern about the recurring challenges associated with public sector recruitment exercises, emphasising the need for urgent reforms to make the process safer and more efficient.

However, the Ghana Armed Forces has since suspended the recruitment exercise at El-Wak pending investigations into the circumstances that led to the stampede.

All six potential recruits who tragically lost their lives in the stampede at El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise on Wednesday, November 12, were female.

President John Dramani Mahama made the revelation at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi. The President described the incident as “a heartbreaking loss for the entire nation,” while extending his condolences to the bereaved families.

According to him, “The tragic news is that I have been informed by the military that six young women, who simply sought an opportunity to serve their nation, lost their lives in this heartbreaking incident. We are praying for the 12 others who remain in critical condition.”

Reports indicate that the incident occurred as thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the stadium, forcing their way through entry points in an attempt to secure enlistment into the Service. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while several others are receiving emergency treatment.

The Ashanti Region has also reported that at least five potential recruits reportedly collapsed during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 11. One person is in critical condition and receiving treatment at the Emena Hospital in Oforikrom Municipality, according to reports, while four others are at the Ashanti South Government Hospital for treatment.

To reduce overcrowding and prevent a potential stampede, authorities have asked some applicants to attend the exercise on Thursday and Friday.

Also, President Mahama paid a visit to the 37 Military Hospital to see 22 victims receiving treatment, accompanied by senior officials, including the Deputy Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of Staff, before his trip to Kumasi for the launch of the ‘Nkokoo Nketenkete’ programme. He also took to his official X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences to the families of the applicants who lost their lives in the stampede.

He said, “I visited the 37 military hospital this afternoon to check on our young men and women who were injured earlier this morning following a stampede at the Elwak Stadium recruitment centre, where thousands of potential military recruits had gathered for a selection exercise.

Lordina and I wish all the injured a speedy recovery, and our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the stampede.”

Effiduase-Asokore Member of Parliament, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, has suggested that the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces should offer automatic enlistment to family members of deceased victims as a form of compensation.

The Ghana Armed Forces announced an extension of the date for its originally scheduled one-month recruitment exercise. The national defence force’s recruitment exercise, which was expected to end on October 31, was extended to November 7.

GAF announced the new date in an official statement shared on November 1 via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The statement, titled “Extension of recruitment deadline” and signed by the Acting Director General, Public Relations, Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, reads:

“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 new deadline is 7 November 2025.”

Before the extension, GAF, in a statement signed by Acting Director General for Public Relations, Veronica Afei Arjun, outlined a new development in which the recruitment exercise would be conducted in all sixteen (16) regions nationwide. It noted that this marks a significant change in the security force’s recruitment process, moving away from the traditional method that was largely centralised in a few selected centres such as Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi.

The new approach, GAF explained, is to ensure equal opportunity for applicants across the country, particularly those in remote or underserved areas who previously had to travel long distances and incur high costs.

“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the public that the 2025 Enlistment/Recruitment Exercise into the Ghana Armed Forces will commence in the coming days at all the regional capitals of the 16 Regions of the country. This approach offers equal opportunity for all potential applicants in the entire country,” parts of the statement read.

According to GAF, recruitment announcements will be made through its official website and Ghana’s two main state-owned national newspapers. GAF also warned the public to disregard recruitment advertisements circulating on social media, stressing that no member of the force would issue such notices or ads.

“The general public is kindly informed that any purported recruitment links on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other social media platforms inviting people for protocol recruitment are a scam and should be ignored. Additionally, no such enlistment/recruitment invitation will emanate from any member of the Ghana Armed Forces or its High Command and should be ignored as well,” it added. “The Ghana Armed Forces counts on the cooperation of the general public in this endeavour.”

The strong warning comes against the backdrop of fraudulent recruitment schemes that have increased in recent years, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. These scams often promise “protocol recruitment,” suggesting backdoor access in exchange for payment. Scammers typically impersonate senior officers, circulate fake enlistment links, and demand fees in return for guaranteed placement.

Over the years, some scammers have demanded protocol fees ranging from GH¢2,000 to GH¢10,000, depending on the promises made and the desperation of applicants. Victims often paid multiple instalments, believing they were securing officer roles or fast-tracked enlistment. Payments were usually made in cash or through mobile money without receipts, making prosecution difficult. GAF has repeatedly stressed that recruitment is free and that any demand for payment is illegal.