Political scientist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has criticised comments by the Member of Parliament for Pusiga, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, describing them as “insensitive” and a reflection of “mediocrity” in the country’s political leadership.

Dr Zaato’s remarks come after the Pusiga MP told Parliament that the deaths of young Ghanaians during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at El-Wak Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, were “beyond human control” and “ordained by Allah.”

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr Zaato said the comments were deeply disappointing and out of touch with the grief families were enduring.

“If you had nothing to say, young girls died. Mothers were mourning, mothers were crying,” he said. “When you have such people making policies for us, you wonder where we are as a country. When you have such mediocrity… It’s heartbreaking.”

He added that the reaction in Parliament itself showed that even lawmakers were uncomfortable with the MP’s statement.

“Everybody in the chamber was cringing. You could feel it. People were like, ‘no, no, no — this woman is not ready to be called honourable,’” he said.

The Pusiga legislator’s comments have sparked public outrage, with many Ghanaians describing them as dismissive of the tragedy that claimed several lives during the chaotic enlistment process.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed that six people have died following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during an ongoing military recruitment exercise

While some lawmakers have defended Ayamba’s statement as a religious expression taken out of context, others argue that her comments highlight the disconnect between Ghana’s political elite and the struggles of ordinary citizens, especially the unemployed youth.

The incident has reignited national conversations about youth unemployment, the management of public recruitment exercises, and the need for accountability in the wake of the El-Wak tragedy.