Ernest Brogya Genfi is the Deputy Minister of Defence
President John Dramani Mahama has directed that families of the six applicants who died in Wednesday’s El-Wak Stadium stampede be given automatic slots in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi announced the directive during a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim in the Central Region.
He explained that the President’s instruction ensures each affected family will have a qualified relative considered for recruitment.
“The President has sent us to inform you that the State will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements for the families.
“The President has also asked us to inform you that all those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process, their families should present a replacement for those people to be absorbed into the military.
“So, the authorities representing the government in the region will engage you in that regard for the family to decide on who can be enrolled into the military”, he noted.
What we know so far about deadly military recruitment stampede
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when hundreds of hopeful applicants surged into the stadium for documentation and body selection during a nationwide recruitment exercise. The sudden rush led to a stampede that claimed six lives and left several others injured.
US Embassy reacts to death of six killed in military stampede
According to a preliminary GAF inquiry, the stampede was triggered when some applicants breached security protocols and forced their way through the gates ahead of the scheduled time.
A Board of Inquiry has also been constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
JKB/AM
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