A grieving mother has condemned the tragic incident that occurred during a recent Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise, describing it as a failure of planning and crowd control that cost innocent lives.
The incident, which took place at a designated military recruitment center, descended into chaos when thousands of hopeful applicants showed up to participate in the exercise. Witnesses say the overcrowding led to panic and a stampede, leaving several injured and others dead.
Speaking in an emotional interview, the mother of one of the victims expressed her anguish and outrage over what she called a preventable disaster. She questioned how such an important national event could be allowed to spiral out of control.
“My son was full of dreams. He only wanted to serve Ghana,” she said tearfully. “Now he is gone because those in charge failed to protect the very people who wanted to serve their country.”
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has since launched an investigation into the tragedy, promising to take responsibility where necessary and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. A statement from the GAF extended condolences to the affected families and assured the public that findings from the investigation would be made public.
Security and governance experts have also criticized the handling of the recruitment process, arguing that the lack of digital registration systems, poor coordination, and inadequate crowd control contributed to the disaster. They are calling for reforms in how recruitment exercises for state security institutions are managed.
Several civil society groups have joined in demanding accountability, urging the government and the military to ensure that future recruitment drives prioritize safety and organization. Some have suggested that recruitment should be decentralized or conducted online to avoid large physical gatherings.
Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with reactions from concerned citizens, many expressing sorrow and anger over the incident. The tragedy has reignited public debate about institutional preparedness and the safety standards observed during government-led exercises.
As investigations continue, families of the victims are calling for justice and for those responsible for the lapses to face consequences. For them, the tragedy is not only a national issue but also a deeply personal one.
“This should not be the price of patriotism,” the bereaved mother said. “No family should ever lose a child to negligence while trying to serve their country.”
Source: Thepressradio.com
