A tragic event unfolded at El-Wak Stadium, leaving six young women dead and many others injured during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment screening. This devastating stampede has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) is at the forefront, calling for swift action. But what exactly happened, and what needs to change?
Abraham Koomson, the Secretary General of the GFL, didn't mince words. He's demanding consequences for the military officers who oversaw the recruitment exercise. He sees this as an avoidable disaster, highlighting significant failures in planning, supervision, and crowd control.
Speaking on Ahotor FM's 'Yepe Ahunu' show on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Koomson expressed serious concerns about the military's handling of the situation. He believes those responsible must be identified and held accountable for their actions.
And this is the part most people miss... Koomson also emphasized the need for regular psychological and medical evaluations for security personnel. He argues that troubling behavior among some officers on duty underscores the importance of periodic assessments to ensure they are fit for their roles.
He further urged the Armed Forces and other security agencies to completely overhaul their recruitment approach. Rev. Philip Kale, the father of one of the victims, also shared his perspective. He recommended several key changes to prevent future tragedies. These include decentralizing the process, enforcing strict batch scheduling, and strengthening crowd-control measures. These measures are crucial to prevent a recurrence of such a devastating event.
The tragedy occurred on Wednesday, November 12, at El-Wak Stadium in Accra. Thousands of applicants, many of whom had traveled long distances, arrived before dawn, far ahead of the scheduled start time. A sudden surge at one of the entry points triggered chaos, resulting in a stampede. Tragically, six young women lost their lives, and dozens more sustained injuries.
This situation raises some tough questions: Could better planning have prevented this? Are current recruitment practices adequate? What steps should be taken to ensure the safety of applicants in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
