Ghana CDD Demands Release of Armed Forces Inquiry Report After El-Wak Stadium Stampede
Six young women died and 28 were injured in a stampede at El-Wak Sports Stadium on 12 November 2025 during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise.
In Brief
- •Six young women died and 28 were injured in a stampede at El-Wak Sports Stadium on 12 November 2025 during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise.
- •The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD‑Ghana) has called for the publication of the Armed Forces Board of Inquiry report, which remains unpublished almost eleven months later.
- •The incident prompted President John Dramani Mahama to suspend the recruitment exercise, and the government offered a GH¢150,000 relief package to bereaved families.
- •A separate fee controversy at the Ministry of Interior, where about 500,000 applicants paid GH₵220 for a recruitment exercise designed for 5,000 recruits, has intensified calls for reform.
- •CDD‑Ghana links the stampede and fee scandal to broader youth unemployment and calls for a decentralized digital recruitment system and independent monitoring.
Why It Matters
The El‑Wak stampede and subsequent fee controversy highlight systemic failures in Ghana’s public sector recruitment processes and the broader youth unemployment crisis. The lack of a published inquiry report undermines public trust and accountability, while the fee scheme raises concerns about equity and access to public employment. Addressing these issues is critical for restoring confidence in state institutions and ensuring that recruitment practices do not exacerbate social tensions.
Key Details
- Stampede Date
- 12 November 2025
- Fatalities
- 6
- Injuries
- 28 (12 critical, 5 ICU)
- Relief Package
- GH¢150,000 per bereaved family
- Inquiry Report Status
- Unpublished
- Recruitment Resumed
- 20 November 2025
Context & Background
The stampede occurred during the Ghana Armed Forces 2025/2026 recruitment exercise held at El‑Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. The incident prompted a suspension of the exercise and a full investigation, while a separate controversy over recruitment fees at the Ministry of Interior highlighted systemic issues in public sector hiring.
Original Reporting & Sources
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