Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has described the El-Wak Sports Stadium tragedy as a national wake-up call and a sign of systemic failure.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP said the deaths of young Ghanaians seeking to join the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) should not be treated as a routine accident.
“This is not merely a tragic accident; it is a profound systemic failure a clear indictment of a system that has lost its effectiveness,” he said.
He added, “This sad news from El-Wak is a deafening wake-up call. It summons the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, and the nation at large to act. The question is no longer about protocol or procedure, it is about humanity and leadership.”
Annoh-Dompreh expressed deep personal sorrow over the tragedy.
“It is with grave concern that I address the House about the death of six potential GAF recruits at El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. Subsequent reports indicate that the death toll has risen to at least 12,” he said.
The Minority Chief Whip called for immediate measures to prevent similar incidents. “We must urgently address the risks associated with recruitment processes, which have persisted for far too long,” he urged.
He proposed temporarily suspending ongoing recruitment and decentralizing the process to manage large crowds and reduce risks for applicants traveling from across the country.
“The Deputy Minister for Defence must appear before Parliament to brief the House on alternative measures to protect prospective recruits,” he added.
Annoh-Dompreh also called for a national review of recruitment practices to restore public confidence and honor the memory of the victims.
“In the spirit of patriotism, and to honor the bold, hopeful victims who sought to serve Ghana, we must review current recruitment practices,” he said.
He warned that failure to act decisively could discourage future enlistments.
SourceThe Ghana Report
