Ghana Armed Forces implements new crowd control measures and pledges procedural reforms after recruitment stampede

A tragic stampede at a Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) recruitment screening at the El-Wak centre claimed the lives of six young girls and left several others injured.

The incident prompted authorities to implement new crowd management protocols, allowing the screening process to resume more safely and orderly.

A representative of the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the fatalities and stated that the injured are receiving medical attention at a facility referred to as “37,” with some still admitted and others treated and discharged.

The representative expressed condolences to the bereaved families, saying, “We want to commiserate with them and to say that may their souls rest in peace.”

Officials noted that the revised crowd control measures, including restricting access so that only applicants are allowed at the centres, have successfully reduced crowd levels and ensured a smoother resumption of recruitment activities.

Acknowledging the lessons learned from the tragic event, the Ghana Armed Forces emphasised the need for procedural reforms.

The representative stated, “What is important is the lessons that we learned from this particular exercise. This has told us that we need to do things differently moving on.”

The organisation is committed to introducing more “seamless” measures in future recruitment exercises to prevent any recurrence of such incidents, underscoring a renewed focus on safety, efficiency, and the welfare of applicants.