The Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has announced a GHC150,000 relief package for each of the six families who lost loved ones in the El-Wak Stadium stampede during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
Mr. Genfi made the announcement on December 1, when he met the bereaved families at the National Square to offer condolences and outline the government’s support plan.
Breakdown of the Relief Package
According to the Deputy Minister, each affected family will receive:
- GHC50,000 for funeral expenses
- GHC100,000 as compensation
He assured the families that senior government officials will continue to stand with them through the difficult period.
Priority Recruitment Opportunities for Siblings
Mr. Genfi also revealed that the government will give priority opportunities to eligible siblings of the deceased in the ongoing GAF recruitment process. The initiative, he said, forms part of efforts to honour the memory of the victims and provide long-term support to their families.
Additional Support from Defence and Gender Ministries
The Ministry of Defence is collaborating with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to offer further assistance, including:
- Psychosocial counselling
- Welfare support programmes
- Continuous engagement with the affected families
Mr. Genfi added that President John Dramani Mahama has personally expressed his condolences and pledged government’s support for all affected families.
Background: How the El-Wak Stampede Happened
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise.
According to a press statement issued by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations for GAF, the stampede happened at around 6:20 a.m. after an unexpected surge of applicants breached security protocols and rushed toward the gates before the scheduled screening.
This sudden wave caused severe overcrowding, resulting in:
- Six deaths, all potential recruits
- Multiple injuries, with victims currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital
GAF assured the public that medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilise the injured and that families of the deceased are being notified.
“The Ghana Armed Forces extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. Further updates will be communicated,” the statement said.
Government Pledges Continued Support
The Defence Ministry says it will continue to engage families and provide all necessary assistance as investigations continue into the deadly incident.
The tragic stampede has sparked national conversations about recruitment protocols, crowd control, and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in future public exercises.
