EL-WAK STAMPEDE: GOV’T TO OFFER AUTOMATIC SLOTS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF KILLED POTENTIAL RECRUITS
The government has directed that families of the six applicants who died in Wednesday’s El‑Wak Stadium stampede submit names of qualified relatives for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), officials announced.
Hundreds of eager candidates rushed into the stadium for paperwork and body selection during a recruitment exercise, causing a deadly rush that resulted in six fatalities and numerous injuries.
During a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim in the Central Region, Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi said that President John Dramani Mahama has instructed that each affected family be given an automatic slot.
“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.”
“The President has sent us to inform you that the State will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements for the families. 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. So, the authorities representing the government in the region will engage you in that regard for the family to decide on who can be enrolled into the military.”
According to the GAF preliminary inquiry, candidates who violated security procedures and hurried through gates before the scheduled time caused the crush.
In addition to reassuring families of the government’s dedication to their welfare, the gesture aims to honor the memories of those who lost their lives while serving their country.
NKONKONSA.com
