🔗 Share this article

At least 6 people have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.

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

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.

Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.