The government has pledged support for the burial and funeral arrangements of the six young women who died in Wednesday’s tragic stampede at the El-Wak Stadium, assuring grieving families that the State stands firmly with them.

During a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim in the Central Region, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Agnes Naa Momo Lartey conveyed the President’s message of solidarity, describing the incident as a national heartbreak.

“The government wants you to know that you’re not in this alone; the whole nation is affected,” she said.

“Your children also belong to the State… His Excellency John Mahama stands with you through this painful period.”

She stressed that the State will ensure each victim receives a dignified burial befitting their aspirations to serve Ghana, adding that the government is also covering medical expenses for those injured and currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

According to her, the President has directed that families be supported through every stage of the burial process.

“Those who require a befitting burial, he will stand with the support of the family to give them a befitting burial,” she assured. “And those who are also recovering… the government is bearing all the cost until such time that they fully recover.”

Beyond the funeral support, the government has also offered a replacement recruitment opportunity for each bereaved family. Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi announced that President Mahama has instructed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to reserve automatic slots for qualified relatives of the deceased.

He further confirmed that the President has suspended recruitment activities in Accra until new measures are implemented to prevent future tragedies.

The stampede occurred when hundreds of applicants attempted to rush through entry points for documentation and body selection, breaching security protocols and overwhelming the gates. A GAF preliminary report cited the premature surge as the primary trigger.

Government says its intervention seeks to honour the memories of the young men who died while pursuing their dream of serving their country, and to assure families that their loss is shared by the entire nation.