Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, Hon. Eric Agbana, has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the stampede that claimed lives and injured dozens during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra.
Addressing Parliament in an urgent statement, the MP described the incident as a heartbreaking national tragedy that exposes the desperation many young Ghanaians face in their pursuit of opportunities to serve the nation.
Hon. Agbana told the House that reports from the recruitment centre indicated that several potential recruits lost their lives, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the screening process.
“This incident is a national tragedy. It is a painful reminder of the risks and desperation that many of our young people face in search of opportunities to serve and contribute to the development of our nation. No one deserves to die in seeking an opportunity to serve the badge of this country”
Hon. Eric Agbana, MP for Ketu North
He described the victims as young, patriotic citizens who only desired to serve Ghana with loyalty and pride. On behalf of his constituents and Parliament, he extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Hon. Agbana commended President John Dramani Mahama for what he termed a compassionate and timely response.
“It sends a powerful message that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this difficult time,” he said, noting that the President’s prompt visit to the 37 Military Hospital, where victims were receiving treatment, showed true leadership and empathy at a time of national grief.
He also acknowledged the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service, and the medical professionals who worked swiftly to manage the crisis and save lives. According to him, their coordinated response deserves national recognition.
Call for Accountability and Reform
Hon. Agbana warned that the tragedy must not be treated as an isolated occurrence but as a reflection of systemic failures that require decisive correction. He urged Parliament and relevant state agencies to pursue accountability and ensure that those whose negligence contributed to the disaster face appropriate sanctions.
“There must be a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, from crowd management and planning to logistics and coordination. We must establish accountability and ensure that the systemic failures that led to this incident are decisively addressed”
Hon. Eric Agbana, MP for Ketu North
He stressed that findings from the investigation should form the basis for urgent reform of Ghana’s security recruitment procedures. According to him, the process must be made safer, more transparent, and better managed to avoid a recurrence.
Hon. Agbana further called for the decentralisation of the security recruitment process, arguing that the practice of gathering thousands of young applicants in one venue should end. He proposed the adoption of a data-driven and technology-enabled system that allows applicants to be screened in batches across regions.
“We must decentralize the process and adopt a data-driven, technology-enabled system that allows applicants to be screened and processed in batches across various regions”
Hon. Eric Agbana, MP for Ketu North
The Ketu North legislator said such reforms would not only prevent overcrowding but also uphold the dignity and safety of applicants.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Agbana urged the House to see the tragedy as a moment for national reflection. He asked that the tragedy should awaken Ghana’s conscience to the plight of its youth and the need for lasting employment solutions that prevent desperation and unsafe conditions.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin to direct the relevant committees to probe the incident and recommend long-term policy measures. “Let this not be another headline that fades away,” he said.
“Let it be a turning point that compels us to act responsibly, humanely, and with urgency toward our young citizens,” he added, expressing hope that lessons from the tragedy will drive both institutional reform and a renewed commitment to youth welfare.
“May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace, and may our nation learn and rise stronger from this painful loss,” he concluded.
READ ALSO: Ecobank, Enterprise Insurance, and People’s Pension Trust Dominate at 2025 GAFA Awards
