President John Dramani Mahama has described the recent stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium — an incident that claimed six lives and left several others injured — as entirely avoidable.

He stressed the urgent need for improved planning and greater transparency in recruitment into the country’s security services.

Addressing delegates of the Christian Council of Ghana during a courtesy call on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Mahama said the tragedy reflected longstanding gaps in the recruitment Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) process.

“The El-Wak tragedy was avoidable. It just shouldn’t have happened,” he said.

According to the president, the lack of clarity and fairness in recruitment procedures has heightened desperation among young applicants, turning what should be a life-changing opportunity into a dangerous ordeal.

“Many young people have wanted to join the security services for years, but recruitment processes were often opaque. You hear the portal is open, then nothing happens, and suddenly people are in camp training,” he noted.

President Mahama reiterated that his administration had promised to make recruitment more transparent and equitable. He said the policy included announcing dates ahead of time, ensuring applicants met basic qualifications, and conducting simultaneous regional recruitment exercises.

While the approach worked well in most regions, he said Ashanti and Greater Accra experienced significant challenges. In Ashanti, a female applicant was trampled and is currently in critical but stable condition.

The situation in Greater Accra, however, proved more severe.

“A venue like El-Wak, with only two entrances, was inadequate for the number of applicants. By morning, it was clear the venue could not handle the crowd. The exercise should have been suspended and the plan reviewed,” he said.

In response to the tragedy, authorities have introduced new measures to prevent a recurrence. These include capping the number of applicants permitted at screening centres each day and expanding the number of venues to minimise overcrowding.

The president expressed confidence that the revised approach would enhance safety, restore public trust, and ensure fairness in security service recruitment.