FOSDA calls for independent probe into GAF recruitment deaths

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has called for immediate accountability following the tragic deaths of six young women during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.

The call follows confirmation that at least six people have died and dozens sustained injuries in the tragic incident.

According to eyewitnesses, the stampede began at dawn when thousands of anxious applicants surged toward the entrance after the gates were opened for the screening and documentation phase of the nationwide recruitment. Many had queued since 2 a.m., hoping to secure a chance in the exercise, which aims to recruit about 12,000 personnel into the Army, Navy, and Air Force over the next three years.

Security personnel and medical teams from the 37 Military Hospital responded swiftly, transporting the injured to the emergency ward while the deceased were sent to the hospital’s morgue.

The tragedy occurred shortly after the GAF extended the nationwide recruitment exercise by one week due to technical challenges on its online portal.

In a statement signed by Executive Director Theodora Williams Anti and dated November 13, 2025, FOSDA expressed “deepest condolences and profound outrage” over the incident, describing it as a “grave failure in safeguarding the lives and dignity of citizens.”

The organization condemned the circumstances that led to the tragedy, insisting that no recruitment process should ever expose participants to life-threatening conditions. “The loss of these promising young women underscores the urgent need for institutional accountability, transparency, and comprehensive reforms to prevent a recurrence,” the statement said.

FOSDA has urged the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant agencies to “immediately commission an independent and transparent investigation” into the events that caused the fatalities. The group emphasized that the findings must be made public and any lapses in crowd control or medical preparedness addressed.

Beyond calls for accountability, FOSDA appealed to the government to provide psychosocial and financial support to the affected families. The organization further called for the institution of “clear protocols and safety standards” in all future recruitment or large-scale public exercises, especially those involving young people.

The foundation also linked the tragedy to broader human security concerns, stating that the event must serve as a wake-up call for reforms that prioritize citizen safety over bureaucratic convenience. “This tragic loss must serve as a wake-up call for systemic reforms that prioritize people’s safety and dignity,” the statement noted.

“FOSDA stands in solidarity with the victims’ families and with all Ghanaians demanding justice, accountability, and assurance that such preventable tragedies will never occur again,” the statement concluded.