Former Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has described Wednesday’s tragic incident at the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, Accra, which claimed six lives and injured several others, as a blot on the conscience of the country’s leaders.

Making a comment on the incident on JoyFM's Super Morning Show on Thursday, the former minister said that while they as leaders carry the shame, it also reflects the gaps in both the current and past governments, emphasising the responsibility of leadership in preventing such tragedies.

“I think that those of us in leadership, past and present, should bow our heads in shame because this is a blot, or it should be a blot, on our conscience,” he said.

“The military should also bow its head in shame. The military is one of the most professional, most disciplined, and most organised institutions, and to have on their watch a number of exercises across the country go this wrong is unacceptable,"he added.

Watch the full interview

Background

Six job seekers have died, with several others injured, following a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during the Ghana Armed Forces’ 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.

According to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces, the tragedy occurred around 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday, when an unexpected surge of applicants breached security protocols and forced their way through the gates ahead of the scheduled screening.

Read also: Six dead, several injured in stampede at Ghana Armed Forces recruit

President John Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces to suspend the nationwide recruitment exercise following reports of injuries and deaths recorded in Accra and Kumasi.

The Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking on the floor of Parliament after the incident, said that the tragic stampede will be thoroughly investigated.