At Least 6 Perish in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive

No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.

Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.