The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that its 2025/2026 recruitment exercise in the Greater Accra Region, which was suspended last week, will resume on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The resumption comes after a deadly stampede at El-Wak Stadium left six young women dead and dozens injured during preliminary screening last Wednesday.
To prevent a repeat of the tragedy, GAF has announced that screening will now take place across eight sub-centres located in five key areas. These include El-Wak Stadium, which will host two centres, Nicholson Park, Burma Camp with two centres, the Air Force Base at Burma Camp, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in Teshie with two centres, and the Eastern Naval Command in Tema.
Applicants will be grouped in batches of 600, each receiving an SMS specifying their reporting dates, designated screening centres, and batch details. Those who do not receive messages by the resumption date are advised to contact the helpline via call or WhatsApp for assistance. Updates will also be available on the recruitment portal.
The stampede that caused last week’s suspension occurred when approximately 21,000 applicants gathered at El-Wak Stadium. Preliminary investigations revealed that the surge at 06:20 a.m., ahead of the scheduled screening, breached security protocols and triggered the deadly rush.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Defence suspended all recruitment in the region to review safety measures. Acting Minister of Defence Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson explained that the suspension allowed authorities to strengthen processes and ensure orderly conduct during screening. The Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Genfi, further announced that one family member from each of the six victims would be offered automatic enlistment into GAF if they wish to join.
GAF has also replaced the entire Greater Accra recruitment leadership team. Commodore F. A. Nyarko has been appointed Director-General, Human Resource; Colonel F. Kusi-Darko as Director, Manpower; and Colonel G.B. Eduah as Director, Information Technology.
Authorities are urging families and friends not to accompany applicants to the screening centres, as non-applicants will not be allowed inside, to reduce congestion and enhance safety. A Board of Inquiry has been established to investigate the stampede, with GAF assuring the public that anyone found responsible will face sanctions.
The military expressed its deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, reiterating its commitment to a safe and orderly recruitment process.
