Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic stampede at the El Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, which claimed 6 lives during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Dr. Bawumia extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“My condolences go out to the families of the young Ghanaians who lost their lives today at the El Wak stadium. May the injured recover quickly, and the souls of our departed ladies rest in peace,” he wrote.

Six Dead, Dozens Hospitalized

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that six people had lost their lives in the incident, while 28 others were admitted to the 37 Military Hospital. Among them, five are reported to be on intensive care, and twelve remain in critical condition.

In a statement issued through the Information Services Department, the GAF explained that the stampede occurred around 6:20 a.m. when a large crowd of applicants rushed toward the stadium gates, breaking through security barriers and triggering a deadly crush.

Conflicting Reports and Official Clarification

Initial media reports suggested that as many as twelve people had died, but the Ghana Armed Forces later dismissed those claims.

“With reference to the unfortunate incident that occurred at El Wak Sports Stadium during the 2025 recruitment exercise, the death toll remains six. The public should treat any other figures as false,” the GAF clarified.

Overcrowding and Poor Crowd Control Blamed

Thousands of hopeful recruits had gathered at the stadium in pursuit of limited enlistment opportunities into the Ghana Armed Forces. Eyewitnesses and early investigations suggest that the massive turnout, coupled with inadequate crowd management, contributed to the tragic incident.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances that led to the deadly stampede.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan