Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has extended his condolences to the families of young Ghanaians who lost their lives in the El Wak Stadium stampede during a military recruitment exercise in Accra. In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Dr. Bawumia wrote:
“My condolences go out to the families of the young Ghanaians who lost their lives today at the El Wak stadium. May the injured recover quickly, and the souls of our departed ladies rest in peace.”
Six Confirmed Dead, Dozens Injured
According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), six people have been confirmed dead, while 28 others were admitted to the 37 Military Hospital, including five in intensive care and twelve in critical condition.
A statement from GAF, released through the Information Services Department, said the incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. when a large crowd of potential recruits surged toward the stadium entrance, breaching security protocols and causing a deadly crush.
Conflicting Reports and Official Clarification
Earlier media reports suggested that as many as twelve people had died, but the Ghana Armed Forces quickly debunked those figures.
“With reference to the unfortunate incident that occurred at El Wak Sports Stadium during the 2025 recruitment exercise, the death toll remains six. The public should treat any other figures as false,” the GAF clarified in a statement.
What triggered the El Wak Stadium stampede
Thousands of young Ghanaians had gathered at the El Wak Sports Stadium hoping to secure limited recruitment slots into the Ghana Armed Forces. Reports indicate that the overwhelming turnout and poor crowd control were key factors in the tragedy.
