There has been a deadly stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during a scheduled military recruitment for personnel seeking to join the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Videos widely shared on social media have captured how hundreds of potential recruits thronged the screening centre at dawn on November 12, 2025. Other viral clips showed what appeared to be congestion in and outside the stadium, including a video that showed some recruits trying to climb a wall.
The casualty figures, especially the number of deaths, became the subject of some misinformation, prompting a rebuttal from the military high command.
In this ‘what we know so far’ piece, we trace the genesis of the misinformation about the number of deaths and also provide a trajectory of major events that have happened since the incident was announced.
Key facts about the exercise
According to a report by the state-owned Daily Graphic, the Armed Forces on November 9, 2025, confirmed that its recruitment screening process was scheduled to take place over two days. Some other key facts of their statement were as follows:
Tasks to be undertaken – documentation and body selection for all shortlisted applicants, slated to take place between November 12 and 13.
The first phase of the recruitment exercise began on October 1, 2025, and ended on November 7, via a dedicated online application portal.
Nationwide exercise – The 2025 recruitment sought qualified applicants across 16 regions as part of plans to recruit 12,000 personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces within the next three and a half years.
Height requirements specify a minimum of 1.68 metres for males and 1.57 metres for females. Candidates applying for positions in the Military Police must meet stricter height standards of 1.75 metres for males and 1.70 metres for females.
The body selection stage, also referred to as attestation, involves final physical examinations and verification of documents. Successful applicants are required to present their application summary reports, original educational certificates, and birth certificates.
Deadly stampede at El-Wak military recruitment: Misinformation around deaths, what we know so far
Misinformation around deaths
Two prominent media houses, Channel One TV and GhanaWeb, reported a doubling of the casualty figures at a time when the known figure stood at six deaths.
While GhanaWeb reported the 12 deaths, citing a Channel One TV report, GhanaFact observed that both outlets had corrected the figures, each reverting to the six deaths with a supporting paragraph in their respective stories that there were earlier reports that the deaths had risen to 12.
Military reacts to misreportage on death toll
In an interview with the press at the 37 Military Hospital, where casualties were sent, the commander of the Hospital clarified,
“There is erroneous information going out. The casualties we have that came through were 28 in number. Those who are dead are six and not 12. Those who are critical and in the ICU are five. We have 12 who are fairly critical, the rest are stable,” Brigadier General Evelyn Vivian Abraham-Kwabiah said.
The acting Director General of Public Relations, Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, subsequently protested to the Citi TV journalist present about the misreportage.
Citi FM’s X stream of President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to the 37 Military Hospital had a caption with 12 casualties, while GhanaWeb also shared the same claim on Facebook, both shared before the military disclaimer.
“Some 12 persons have been confirmed dead, while waiting to go through the process (of recruitment)…” the Citi Reporter had stated at the beginning of the stream.
What the Army has said
According to an official press release issued by the Ghana Armed Forces, “Preliminary investigations indicate that the stampede was triggered by an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates ahead of scheduled screening at about 0620 hours.”
Other key details in the statement were as follows:
- Confirmed number of deaths was six, and many others were injured
- The injured were receiving care at the 37 Military Hospital
- Medical teams are working to stabilise casualties
- Arrangements are being made to notify families of the deceased
Recruitment process suspended in Greater Accra
According to a follow-up statement released by the military, the recruitment process has been temporarily suspended in the Greater Accra Region due to the fatal incident. Applicants will be informed of the date of resumption.
Key information in the statement
- This suspension is to allow for additional measures to ensure a seamless exercise.
- A board of inquiry has been constituted to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident
- The process in the other 15 regions will continue as scheduled
President Mahama visits injured applicants
President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-In-Chief of the GAF, hours after the incident visited injured persons receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.
Videos shared by media houses showed him receiving a briefing from the Acting Defence Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, Deputy Defence Minister, Brogya Genfi and other top military officials, including army chiefs.
President Mahama subsequently visited the Trauma and Medical Emergency Unit at the hospital to interact with some of the injured persons.
The President, however, did not speak to the media at the hospital but exited the hospital just when the military had clarified the death toll as well as briefed the press on further developments.
President Mahama speaks about the incident
During his address at the official launch of the Nkoko Nketenkete programme in Kumasi, President Mahama formally confirmed the casualties and stated that he had directed the suspension of the recruitment exercise.
“In previous years, recruitment for the armed forces was handled privately. Before the 2024 election, I promised that, upon coming into power, we would announce applications publicly, offering youth from all regions an opportunity to apply.
“We opened the online portal as promised, and a large number of young people submitted applications. Today was the scheduled date for the nationwide physical screening exercises,” he said.
“True to our word, we opened the recruitment portal, and many young people applied. Today was scheduled for the nationwide screening exercise, and every region was taking part. Because Accra is the capital, the number of applicants was very large. When the gates were opened, many people rushed in, forcing entry. Unfortunately, in the process, some individuals fell and were stamped on.
“As we speak, we have been informed that six people have died and twelve are critically injured. We pray for their recovery. We have been informed by the Army of six dead individuals, who are all females.
“Additionally, a similar situation occurred in Kumasi, leaving one person critically injured and receiving treatment. We pray for a full recovery. Due to this tragic incident, I have ordered the Army to suspend the recruitment exercise immediately,” he added
Source: GhanaFact|Ghana