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

At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who are in critical condition.

A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

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

The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.

Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.