🔗 Share this article

At least 6 individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.

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