President John Mahama was on the ground at the 37 Military Hospital’s emergency ward this morning, just hours after a tragic stampede at the El‑Wak Sports Stadium disrupted the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment drive. The president, flanked by Acting Defence Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, the Chief Justice, and other senior officials, arrived to get a first‑hand briefing and to speak with the injured recruits.
The crush happened around 6:20 a.m. when a sudden surge of hopeful applicants breached security gates ahead of the scheduled screening. Six people died on the spot, five remain in intensive care and another twelve are being treated for serious injuries. The Ghana Armed Forces has since extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and promised a full investigation into the cause of the surge.
During his visit, Mahama toured the emergency ward, spoke with medical staff about the condition of the patients, and offered words of comfort to the families gathered outside. “We are deeply saddened by this loss,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the families, and we will do everything possible to support the injured and to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
The incident has already sparked calls for a pause in the recruitment process. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a member of the Parliamentary Defence and Interior Committee, urged an immediate suspension of the exercise pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The 37 Military Hospital’s emergency team is working around the clock, and the president’s visit was intended to show solidarity with the victims and to get an update on the medical response. As the investigation continues, authorities have promised to keep the public informed about any further developments.