The United Party (UP) has urged government to tackle the growing corruption and decay in the country as a way to address the unemployment crisis facing the nation.
According to the party, this is key to preventing incidents like the El-Wak Sports Stadium stampede, which claimed six lives and left others seriously injured on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Solomon Owusu, on Wednesday, November 12, the UP emphasised that government should treat the incident as a wake-up call to tackle corruption, expand the economy, and create jobs for the youth.
This, the UP says, would prevent desperate situations where young people risk their lives to join the security services just to make ends meet.
“It is, therefore, imperative that government treats this tragedy as a wake up call to confront the twin challenges of corruption and economic stagnation with renewed commitment and honesty.
“Corruption has crippled our economy, diverted critical resources, and destroyed public confidence in state institutions. When those entrusted with the nation’s wealth become the very architects of its depletion, hope diminishes, and opportunities vanish,” the statement said.
It further urged the government to capitalise on the incident to “reset the national agenda to restore dignity, create jobs, and rekindle hope among our teeming unemployed youth.”
Find below the full statement issued by the party:
The incident comes after thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the El-Wak Sports Stadium in a desperate bid to secure enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The military says the stampede came when some of the applicants breached the protocol put in place for the exercise.
In a statement signed by Veronica Adzo Arhin, Captain, Ghana Navy, Acting Director General of Public Affairs for the Ghana Armed Forces, and issued on Wednesday, November 12, she said some other persons sustained injuries and have been rushed to the hospital for medical care.
“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 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,” the statement contained in some parts.
While the GAF medical teams are working to stabilise the affected individuals, the statement further said “arrangements are being made to notify the families of the deceased.”
Below is the statement issued by the GAF, shared by the Deputy Minister of Defence Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi, on his socials.
The incident follows an extended recruitment period of one week announced by the Ghana Armed Forces, pushing the October 31, 2025 deadline as a result of technical challenges on the recruitment portal.
In a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military explained that the extension was necessary to accommodate applicants who had experienced difficulties during the initial phase.
“The Ghana Armed Forces has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment exercise by one week due to some technical challenges encountered on the recruitment portal during the initial period,” the statement read.
