“Tragic Stampede at Military Recruitment Exercise Claims Six Lives, Highlights Grim Unemployment Crisis”

Story by Fada Amakye

A devastating stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during a military recruitment exercise has left six young Ghanaians dead and dozens more injured, sparking widespread outrage and calls for urgent action to address the country’s crippling unemployment crisis.

The incident, which occurred on November 12, 2025, has been attributed to poor planning and inadequate crowd control measures, with thousands of desperate job seekers converging on the stadium in search of a stable income and a better life.Hon. Seidu Agongo, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, has described the tragedy as a “wake-up call” for the nation, highlighting the urgent need for job creation, skills development, and entrepreneurship initiatives to address the country’s severe unemployment challenge.

“The stampede is a stark reminder of the grim reality facing Ghana’s youth,” Agongo said. “They are not lazy; they are desperate. They are willing to risk their lives for a job that pays a modest salary because the alternatives are bleak”

The Ghana Armed Forces has apologized for the incident and promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The government has also been urged to treat unemployment as a national emergency and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

:Key Recommendations:

-Aggressive investment in job creation, skills development, and entrepreneurship initiatives

-Restructuring of recruitment exercises to prioritize safety and efficiency

-Implementation of strict safety protocols for large-scale social gatherings

-Addressing the root causes of unemployment and providing alternatives for Ghana’s youth

The incident has sparked a national conversation about the need for urgent action to address Ghana’s unemployment crisis and to ensure that the country’s youth have access to opportunities and resources to build a better future.