An Assemblyman has publicly criticized the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) following a tragic stampede at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi during a military recruitment exercise, which left several applicants injured.
According to reports, chaos erupted as applicants surged toward the entrance gates, eager to participate in the recruitment process. Eyewitnesses described how the crowd, which had been gathering from the early hours of the morning, became uncontrollable once the gates were opened. In the ensuing stampede, several people fell and were trampled, forcing security personnel to intervene.
Officials at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital confirmed that five applicants sustained injuries, including bruises and minor fractures. All the victims were attended to and their conditions were reported to be stable. Videos shared on social media showed panicked applicants trying to help those who had fallen, while others attempted to navigate through the throngs of people.
The Assemblyman, who visited some of the injured, expressed anger over the lack of planning and crowd control during the exercise. He criticized the Armed Forces for failing to implement safety measures to protect applicants and called on authorities to be held accountable for the incident.
“This tragedy could have been avoided,” the Assemblyman said. “Young Ghanaians seeking to serve their country should not have to risk their lives in such poorly organized exercises. Proper planning and safety precautions must be enforced immediately.”
The Ghana Armed Forces later issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and assuring the public that all injured applicants were receiving medical attention. The statement also noted that a review of recruitment procedures and safety protocols would be conducted to prevent future occurrences.
The incident has sparked public concern, with citizens and civil society groups calling for reforms to the recruitment process. Many have suggested that digital pre-screening and better crowd management strategies should be introduced to reduce congestion and ensure the safety of applicants.
Despite the chaos, authorities resumed the recruitment exercise after order was restored, implementing heightened supervision to protect participants. The Assemblyman reiterated the need for accountability, emphasizing that lessons must be learned to prevent similar tragedies in future national recruitment exercises.
Source: Thepressradio.com
