Tears flow as Deputy Minister of Defence, gender minister visit victim of stampede incident

It was an emotional scene at the family home of one of the six female victims who died in the stampede at the El-Wak Stadium during a military recruitment exercise in Accra.

The family members of the deceased, identified as Yvonne Amoateng, could not hold back their tears during a visit by government officials, including the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey; the Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Gyenfi, and several military officials, who came to commiserate with them.

This was shared in a video by The 1957 News and sighted by GhanaWeb on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

'Shameful!' - Netizens descend on MP over ‘they were meant to die’ comment on El-Wak tragedy

Like every other prospective recruit, Yvonne had hoped to serve the country; however, tragedy struck, sadly claiming her life.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, claimed six lives and has been attributed to an unexpected surge in the number of applicants who thronged the stadium.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, applicants breached security protocols and rushed the stadium gates even before the scheduled start of the exercise.

In an official statement confirming the incident, the Acting Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Captain (Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin, said, "The Ghana Armed Forces deeply regrets to inform the general public of a tragic stampede prior to the commencement of the 2025/2026 recruitment exercise today Wednesday 12 November 2025 at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, Accra.

The statement continued, “Preliminary investigations indicate that the stampede was triggered by an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates ahead of scheduled screening at about 0620 hours.”

The Ghana Armed Forces also disclosed that several other recruits sustained injuries and have since been rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for medical treatment.

Six reported dead over stampede during military recruitment exercise

"The unfortunate incident led to the death of 6 potential recruits and many others injured. The injured are currently receiving emergency medical care at the 37 Military Hospital. Ghana Armed Forces assures the general public that medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilise affected individuals," the GAF clarified.

MAG/JE

Chaos at El-Wak: Watch citizens recount harrowing experiences during GAF recruitment