President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to immediately suspend its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise following reports of multiple injuries and deaths in Accra and Kumasi.
The directive, according to the President, is aimed at allowing a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incidents and ensuring that future recruitment activities are conducted under safer and more controlled conditions.
Speaking at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama described the development as “deeply regrettable,” emphasizing that reforms must be implemented to protect the lives of job-seeking youth participating in such exercises.
“I have asked the leadership of the Armed Forces to temporarily halt the recruitment exercise and conduct a full investigation. We must take a fresh approach to ensure such unfortunate incidents do not happen again,”
— President John Dramani Mahama
According to reports, the nationwide recruitment attracted thousands of applicants eager to join the military. However, scenes at some centres turned chaotic as overcrowding led to stampedes, injuries, and multiple collapses among the participants.
In both Accra and Kumasi, eyewitnesses recounted distressing scenes of young people struggling to enter overcrowded venues, with several collapsing due to exhaustion and suffocation.
The Ghana Armed Forces, in a statement, confirmed that six people had died following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, and urged the public to disregard exaggerated or unverified death tolls being circulated online.
President Mahama reiterated that the safety and dignity of prospective recruits must be the military’s top priority, noting that recruitment exercises should reflect the discipline, professionalism, and integrity associated with the Armed Forces.
He further directed the Defence Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces to review their crowd control, screening, and logistical procedures before resuming the exercise.
“The Ghana Armed Forces have a proud legacy of discipline and professionalism. It is important that every aspect of their operations, including recruitment, upholds those values,” he added.
The suspension follows widespread public concern about the manner in which large-scale recruitment activities are handled in Ghana, particularly within the security services. Many citizens have called for better planning, improved communication, and stricter crowd management measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Analysts have also linked the overwhelming turnout at recruitment centres to high youth unemployment, which often compels thousands to compete for limited job openings in the security sector.
As of now, the Ghana Armed Forces has not issued an official statement in response to the President’s directive.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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