Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of six young women during a military recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Thursday, November 12, 2025.
The tragedy occurred when a stampede broke out among thousands of applicants seeking to join the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), resulting in six fatalities and leaving several others in critical condition.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, November 13, the former president wrote:
“I returned from Angola to the devastating news of the tragic deaths of six potential recruits into the Ghana Armed Forces, with several others receiving treatment for varying degrees of injuries sustained from the incident, at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
“I convey to the bereaved families my deep condolences and wish the potential recruits in hospital a rapid recovery from their injuries, and indeed, from the accompanying trauma to all who were at the El-Wak Stadium, their parents or guardians, and their loved ones.
“It is my hope that each day will bring you renewed strength. May the Lord be with us all at this difficult moment.”
In response to the incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the suspension of the military recruitment exercise in Accra, while Acting Defence Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has assured the public of a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
