Former Vice President and NPP presidential hopeful Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is calling for a thorough review of the Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) recruitment strategy following a tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium that claimed six lives. The incident occurred when thousands of young people gathered for a military recruitment exercise, highlighting concerns over crowd management and safety procedures.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the need for immediate reforms, suggesting that the military incorporate more techniques and technology into their recruitment process to prevent similar incidents in the future. His comments come as the GAF has suspended the recruitment exercise in the Greater Accra Region and instituted an internal board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
The incident has sparked widespread national concern, with many calling for a comprehensive overhaul of GAF recruitment processes to ensure applicant safety. The Acting Defence Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that the safety and dignity of applicants remain a top priority ⁴.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
