At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event

At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.

A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.

Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.