Parliamentary Committee visits El-Wak stampede victims at 37 Military Hospital

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior, led by Chairman James Agalga, has visited victims of the El-Wak Stadium recruitment stampede currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

Mr. Agalga explained that the visit was in line with a directive from Speaker Alban Bagbin, following statements made in Parliament by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh and Edem Agbana, who called for immediate parliamentary intervention after the tragic incident.

“We are here in pursuit of the Speaker’s directive that the Committee takes steps to look into the matter, whether in the form of a probe or investigation,” Mr. Agalga stated.

He noted that while the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has already constituted a Board of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede, Parliament is equally committed to ensuring accountability and preventive action.

Ranking Member of the Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, expressed deep sympathy to the victims and bereaved families, assuring them of Parliament’s continued support.

“We will look into this objectively and offer constructive recommendations for the way forward,” he said.

Rev. Fordjour also urged the government to suspend all ongoing nationwide recruitment exercises until proper safety and crowd management protocols are established.

“In the best interest of safeguarding lives, we appeal to the government to halt all recruitment exercises until optimal safety measures are in place,” he added.

He further recommended adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and suggested that survivors deemed medically fit should be given priority consideration in future recruitment processes.

The Committee assured that it would collaborate closely with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence to implement reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.