When recruitment into the security services results in deaths at El-Wak Sports Stadium

When thousands of job seekers trooped to the El-Wak Sports Stadium at Burma Camp in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in an anticipation of being recruited into the security services, they did so with an open mind of going through formalities and satisfying the laid-down procedures outlined by the military authorities for recruitment. However, little did they anticipate that some of them would lose their lives abruptly in that recruitment process.

These job seekers, mostly from tertiary institutions across the country, woke up early in the morning, dressed up in white lacoste and T-shirts with khaki trousers or jeans to match, assembled all their requisite documents and thronged to the stadium to go through the recruitment processes and formalities.

However, the situation turned sour in a stampede that generated controversy at the gates of the stadium, resulting in the death of six of the job seekers, all females, with 28 injured, six in critical conditions.

Sad Day
Indeed, it was a sad day for Ghanaians, especially the families of the deceased persons and the youth, as it amplified the rate of youth unemployment in our dear country, Ghana. No wonder the number one gentleman of the land, President John Mahama, the Acting Defence Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and the various security chiefs rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra to observe at first hand the situation on the ground.

They were informed and confirmed by hospital authorities about the number of deaths and those on the injured list, some of whom were in critical conditions and on admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, also led a parliamentary delegation to visit the injured at the 37 Military Hospital.

It is recalled that President John Mahama, in his campaign promise in the latter part of 2024 before assuming office as president, gave the assurance that when he wins power, he would decentralise the recruitment of prospective applicants to the security services, hence the fulfilment of his campaign pledge to the teeming unemployed youth of the country. The recruitment exercise was therefore carried out simultaneously in all the regional capitals across the country.

Apart from Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions which recorded deaths and casualties, with five minor injuries in Kumasi, the situation in the other regions was peaceful and without injuries. Latest reports indicate that Eastern Region recorded six minor injuries and they were treated by health officers on site. In July this year, the late Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister, announced an ambitious plan to recruit 12,000 personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) over the next three and half years.

Youth Unemployment
Ghana has for many years been battling with serious youth unemployment, as thousands of graduates churned out yearly from public and private universities and other specialised tertiary institutions found it extremely difficult to secure jobs.

In fact, job opportunities do not match the number of graduates from our tertiary institutions, and parents are extremely worried about the situation, especially concerning the huge investments in their wards’ education.

It is sad to note that although these graduates have performed marvellously and obtained the relevant qualifications and certificates, they hardly get jobs to compensate them for their hard work. This situation has resulted in the majority of graduate youths indulging in all manner of fraudulent practices to eke or earn a living.

This sad and serious situation, in the midst of frustration, continues to linger on unabated. Subsequent governments continue to battle this unfavourable situation to no avail, and their pledges to tackle the problem often do not materialise, leaving the problem for successors.

This hydra-headed unemployment problem continues, hence the youths have become more frustrated and agitated.

Unemployment Rate
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana’s unemployment rate was 13.1 per cent in Q4 2024, down from a peak of 14.9 per cent in early 2023. However, youth unemployment remains high, with the 15–24 age group at 32 per cent and the 15–35 group at 22.5 per cent in 2024.

Research indicates that for decades, many Ghanaians have aspired to work in government institutions due to perceived job security and better benefits. However, the public sector cannot absorb the increasing number of job seekers, leading to a backlog of unemployed graduates.

Indeed, the issue of graduate unemployment is a major problem for governments, especially due to the current educational system, which produces a large number of graduates yearly. The problem has worsened due to the large number of private universities and tertiary institutions offering similar courses as public universities.

To confront this hydra-headed problem, Ghana must adopt a multifaceted approach including strengthening technical and vocational training, boosting entrepreneurship by supporting SMEs and providing funding, and aligning education with market needs through better collaboration between academia and industry. The government must also focus on job creation, improving the business environment and providing career guidance to graduates.

24-Hour Economy
For now, Ghanaians expect the Mahama administration to intensify the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, the flagship policy aimed at encouraging businesses to operate in three shifts to boost productivity, attract investment and create an estimated 1.7 to 2 million jobs across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare and tourism.

Businesses that take advantage of this policy should enjoy tax rebates, import duty waivers and discounted electricity tariffs.

The government must also modernise agriculture to create more jobs through expansion of economic crops like oil palm, as well as revamping of industries in the shea and cocoa sectors. Significantly, the “Big Push” infrastructure plan, recently launched, would allow $10 billion investment in rapid infrastructure development and create jobs in construction and related industries.

The “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” Initiative launched in Kumasi by President Mahama is another bold step aimed at transforming household poultry production and revitalising Ghana’s poultry production. It would empower communities to achieve food self-sufficiency and create jobs for the youth.

Pragmatic Policies
If the government under President John Mahama vigorously pursues ongoing pragmatic policies aimed at dealing with youth and graduate unemployment, Ghana could soon overcome this unemployment monster and give hope to graduates desperately searching for jobs.

Finally, it is important to express condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in the recent recruitment exercise. It is unfortunate that they should lose their lives in their attempt to secure jobs to eke a living. To those who sustained injuries and are recuperating, we pray for quick healing. It is the wish of Ghanaians that the military high command will put in place effective mechanisms to avoid such unfortunate situations in the future.

BY CHARLES NEEQUAYE

🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q