GAF Job Screening: About Six Reported Dead In Stampede At Elwak Stadium

Tragedy struck at the Elwak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when a massive crowd gathered for an Armed Forces screening exercise at the El Wak Stadium in Accra ended in a deadly stampede. About six people are allegedly confirmed dead, while several others sustained various degrees of injury.

Thousands of job seekers had converged on the stadium early in the morning after news spread about a large-scale recruitment drive. The situation reportedly got out of control when the crowd began pushing through the main gates in an attempt to secure entry, leading to chaos and panic.

Security personnel and emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene to restore order and attend to the injured. Ambulances were seen rushing victims to nearby hospitals, while police cordoned off sections of the stadium to manage the crowd.

Health officials at the 37 Military Hospital and Ridge Hospital have confirmed receiving multiple casualties, including some in critical condition. Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the stampede and identify any lapses in crowd control and safety measures.

The Ghana Armed Forces has also rescheduled its screening exercise for applicants to the Air Force, Navy, and Army following the incident. However, those who had already entered the stadium, will still go through the screening process as planned.

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Some survivors who spoke to reporters blamed the organizers for poor planning and inadequate coordination.

“There was no proper system for entry or verification. Everyone was rushing to get inside, and people started falling and getting trampled,” one eyewitness recounted.

The Ghana Police Service has urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue. In a brief statement, the police assured that measures are being taken to prevent similar occurrences in future public events.

The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, though sources indicate that an emergency meeting has been convened to assess the situation.