The United Party (UP) has extended its condolences to the families of the six persons who lost their lives during the recruitment process by the Ghana Armed Forces at the El-Wak Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The party, in a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Solomon Owusu, on Wednesday, November 12, noted that the sad development should serve as a reminder for the country to tackle the growing unemployment in the country.
According to the party, the high number of youth seeking employment in the security services shows how unemployment is costing the nation its potential.
“This heartbreaking incident serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to address the growing problem of youth unemployment in Ghana,” the statement read in part.
He continued that: “As a political party, the UP holds the issue of youth empowerment and job creation at the very core of its vision. We have consistently advocated for the expansion and diversification of the Ghanaian economy with the private sector, industrialization, and modern agriculture as the focal pillars for sustainable growth.”
The UP has urged the government to address the situation head-on, arguing that the repercussions of leaving the issue unattended “threaten to fuel frustration, despair, and the rise of social vices across our communities.”
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.
Military recruitment stampede: Mahama visits victims at 37 Military Hospital
