The National Peace Council (NPC) has expressed regret over the tragic events that occurred during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) 2025/2026 recruitment exercise at El-Wak Stadium on Wednesday, November 12.
According to available reports, 28 individuals were affected, including 12 in critical condition, five in intensive care, and six confirmed dead. A similar incident in Kumasi during a separate recruitment exercise left five people injured.
The NPC, in a statement, extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.
Highlighting the broader context, the council noted Ghana’s youth unemployment rates — 32 percent for ages 15–24 and 22.5 percent for ages 15–35, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, emphasising that positive peace in the country remains incomplete while large numbers of youth remain unemployed.
The council called on the government, business owners, and other stakeholders to take urgent action to create jobs and address youth unemployment.
Although the Ghana Armed Forces halted the Accra recruitment exercise and initiated an investigation into the stampede, the NPC urged the military to consider broader reforms to its recruitment processes and to explore modern approaches and best practices to safeguard future exercises.
