El-Wak tragedy: Recruitment heads asked to step aside — Deputy Defence Minister confirms

The Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has provided an update on the aftermath of Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Military Sports Facility in Accra, confirming that five victims remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with two showing signs of improvement.

The El-Wak stampede occurred on Wednesday, November 12, during a GAF recruitment exercise, claiming six lives and leaving 34 others injured.

The Ministry of Defence has since instituted an internal Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the incident and recommend preventive measures.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday, November 13, Mr. Genfi disclosed that 13 other patients receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital’s Trauma and Surgical Emergency Unit (TSEU) are stable and under continued medical care, while the remaining victims have been treated and discharged for follow-up.

The Deputy Minister also announced that all six deceased victims have been identified and their families contacted.

According to him, officials responsible for overseeing the ongoing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise in Accra have been directed to step aside to allow for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Mr. Genfi reiterated that the recruitment exercise in the Greater Accra Region remains suspended until further notice, while similar exercises in other regions continue without incident.

He further revealed that a government delegation, including himself, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, senior officers from the Ministry of Defence and Ghana Armed Forces, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, and local Members of Parliament and MMDCEs, has visited some bereaved families to convey condolences on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

“We mourn with the families, stand with the injured, and remain committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all applicants,” Mr. Genfi stated.