VEEP Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang mourns victims of El-Wak Military recruitment tragedy
13th November 2025
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has extended her condolences to the families of six young Ghanaian women who tragically lost their lives during a military recruitment stampede at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra on Thursday, November 12, 2025.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when a stampede broke out among thousands of applicants seeking to join the Ghana Armed Forces, leaving six dead and several others critically injured.
In a press statement signed by her Press Secretary, Ama Pratt, the Vice President described the tragedy as “deeply heartbreaking” and expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured.
“The Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the stampede that claimed the lives of six young Ghanaians, all aspiring to join the Ghana Armed Forces, and left many others injured.
She extends her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a speedy and full recovery to those affected.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang urged Ghanaians to remain calm as authorities investigate the incident and implement measures to prevent future tragedies. She emphasized the importance of enforcing comprehensive safety protocols at all national recruitment exercises to protect lives.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended the ongoing military recruitment in Accra, while Acting Defence Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured the public of a thorough probe into the incident.
The devastating event has triggered nationwide grief and calls for reform, with many urging the government to rethink how large-scale recruitment exercises are managed to ensure public safety.