President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to suspend its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise following reports of injuries and deaths recorded at screening centres in Accra and Kumasi.
According to the President, the temporary suspension is to allow for a thorough investigation into the tragic incidents and to ensure that future recruitment processes 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 developments as “deeply regrettable,” stressing the urgent need for reforms to prevent similar occurrences.
“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,” he stated.
Reports indicate that the recruitment exercise, which drew thousands of applicants across the country, turned chaotic at several centres, resulting in stampedes and injuries. In both Kumasi and Accra, several young people reportedly collapsed while attempting to enter overcrowded venues.
The Ghana Armed Forces has clarified that the death toll from Wednesday’s tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra remains six. The GAF also urged the public to disregard false or unverified reports circulating on social media.
President Mahama emphasized that the safety of prospective recruits must remain a top priority, noting that the military’s recruitment process should reflect professionalism, discipline, and respect for human life.
He further tasked the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces to review their crowd management and screening procedures before resuming the exercise.
The President’s directive comes amid growing public concern over the conduct of large-scale recruitment exercises, which often attract massive crowds due to high youth unemployment and limited openings in the country’s security services.
The Ghana Armed Forces is yet to issue an official response to the President’s directive.
