El- Wak Tragedy: MP Suggests Enlistment as Human Compensation
The Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, has called on the Ministry of Defence to consider granting automatic enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for victims and families affected by the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium during the recent military recruitment exercise.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Dr. Ayew Afriyie described the incident as a heartbreaking national tragedy and urged the government to adopt a compassionate approach in supporting the victims and their families.
“There is nothing that can fully compensate for the loss of life,” he said. “However, providing enlistment opportunities to affected families would offer them a sense of belonging and demonstrate that the government stands with them in this difficult time.”
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that six people lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries during the stampede, which occurred when a surge of applicants breached security protocols at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Dr. Ayew Afriyie proposed that the government should allow one qualified member from each bereaved family to be enlisted into the Armed Forces as a form of replacement. He further suggested that injured applicants who recover fully should be given priority in future recruitment exercises.
“For those whose injuries render them unfit for training, their immediate relatives should be considered in their place,” he added.
The MP emphasized that while financial compensation might offer temporary relief, granting enlistment opportunities would serve as a more meaningful and lasting gesture of national solidarity.
“This approach will not only honor the memory of the deceased but also help restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens,” he concluded.
