President Mahama Suspends Military Recruitment After Fatalities in Accra and Kumasi
President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate suspension of the ongoing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise following tragic incidents that led to multiple casualties in Accra and Kumasi.
The nationwide recruitment drive, which attracted thousands of eager applicants, turned chaotic at several centres, resulting in injuries and loss of life. At the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, overcrowding and poor crowd control reportedly caused a deadly stampede that claimed several lives and left many others hospitalised.
Addressing the incident during an event in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama described the situation as “deeply regrettable” and expressed his condolences to the affected families. He directed the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces to immediately halt the recruitment process and launch a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
According to the President, the suspension is intended to ensure that recruitment procedures are reviewed and improved to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He emphasised that public safety must remain a top priority, particularly during large-scale national exercises involving thousands of citizens.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to submit a detailed report on the events that transpired, as well as recommendations for improving safety measures, venue management, and applicant coordination.
This tragic event has reignited public discussion about Ghana’s growing youth unemployment challenge and the pressures faced by young people seeking stable careers in the public sector. Recruitment exercises by the Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies often attract massive crowds due to limited job opportunities, raising concerns about logistics, planning, and crowd management.
While the suspension of the recruitment process may delay opportunities for many hopeful applicants, the President’s swift action underscores a commitment to protecting lives and ensuring that future recruitment efforts are conducted under safer, more transparent conditions.
