The Private Universities Students’ Association of Ghana (PUSAG) has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the stampede that occurred at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra during a recruitment exercise organized by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Initial reports indicated the loss of six promising lives and injuries to several others. Unfortunately, subsequent official confirmations have tragically raised the death toll to twelve (12), deepening the nation’s collective sorrow and grief over this heartbreaking incident.
Below is the full statement issued by Ibrahim Issah, the National President of PUSAG.
Full Statement from PUSAG:
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish a swift and complete recovery to all those currently receiving medical care.
This devastating incident serves as a painful reminder of the urgent necessity to critically re-examine the procedures governing all large-scale public recruitment exercises—especially those attracting massive numbers of young Ghanaians eager to serve their nation.
While we acknowledge the GAF’s attempts to manage an exercise of this magnitude, it is deeply regrettable that adequate preventive measures were not fully anticipated and implemented. Given the volume of application forms sold and the expected high turnout, a comprehensive advance operational assessment and crowd management plan should have been deployed at least 24 hours prior to the event to secure the premises and ensure the safety of all applicants.
Beyond institutional oversight, this tragedy starkly highlights the determination and sheer desperation of Ghana’s youth—a generation ready and willing to contribute to national development, even under dire circumstances. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that such zeal and patriotism are met with a corresponding commitment to safety, dignity, and respect.
We, therefore, call for the following immediate actions:
Recognition of the Fallen: We call on the Minister for the Interior to direct that the twelve deceased applicants be accorded heroic funeral rites in recognition of their selfless desire to serve Ghana.
Institutional Learning: We urge the Ghana Armed Forces and all other security agencies yet to commence their recruitment processes to draw immediate and critical lessons from this tragedy. They must adopt robust preventive measures to ensure that Ghana never again witnesses such a devastating loss of young lives during a national recruitment exercise.
Youth Safety Framework: We appeal to the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to take concrete steps toward establishing a comprehensive National Youth Safety Framework, guaranteeing the protection and welfare of young people in all state-led initiatives and public engagements.
As the umbrella body representing students from over 137 private universities across the country, PUSAG reaffirms its commitment to advocating for youth-centered policies, fair employment opportunities, and improved coordination between state agencies and the youth they serve.
The lives lost today are not mere statistics—they stand as symbols of a generation’s hope, courage, and undying belief in the promise of Ghana.
Let this tragedy awaken our conscience, prompt decisive reform of our systems, and inspire a renewed national commitment to safeguard the dreams of every Ghanaian youth.
H.E IBRAHIM ISSAH NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
