Deputy Minister Brogya Genfi announces military recruitment for El-Wak victims’ families

The government has directed the families of the six young women who died in the El-Wak Stadium stampede to submit the names of qualified relatives for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi announced the gesture during a visit to the home of one of the victims at Eyan Maim in the Central Region, where he conveyed President John Mahama’s condolences and support.

According to him, the President has granted “an automatic slot for the bereaved families” as part of efforts to honour the memory of the victims.

“Due to what happened, the recruitment in Accra has been suspended by the President, so that we will ensure that measures are put in place to avoid a repeat of such incidents,” he said.

He added that the State will support the affected families through the burial and funeral processes.

“The President has also asked us to inform you that all those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process, their families should present a replacement for those people to be absorbed into the military,” he noted.

Government officials in the region are expected to engage the families to determine eligible candidates for enlistment.

The stampede occurred when thousands of applicants massed up at the El-Wak Stadium for the GAF recruitment exercise. Overcrowding and pushing at the entrances triggered chaos that left six dead and dozens injured.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that 28 people were admitted to the 37 Military Hospital, with five in the Intensive Care Unit and 12 in critical condition.

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