The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has made an emotional plea to the government to suspend and reform the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment process following the deaths at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, November 12, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP described the incident as a profound tragedy that exposed deep failures in the system.
“It is with deep concern and sorrow that I make this important statement to recognise the impact of the tragic incident that has been reported in our media space just this morning; the death of six potential recruits for the Ghana Armed Forces, which took place at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra,” he said.
He noted that the confirmation by the Ghana Armed Forces had thrown the entire nation into mourning.
“Indeed, as has been confirmed by the GAF in its press statement issued this morning, we have all been caused to recline to mourning. Our heavy hearts go out to the families of those victims, including the several others who have been injured on various levels of severity and are receiving treatment,” he said.
Mr Annor-Dompreh reflected on the fragility of life, quoting Shakespeare.
“At the hearing of this news, I thought of the words of Shakespeare in The Tempest when he said, ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.’
“These victims were once among thousands of Ghanaians waiting for the opportunity to join the Ghana Armed Forces, but met their fate in such an unfortunate event.”
He said the tragedy should not be treated as an isolated accident but as a sign of a broken system.
“My grief heightened when other reports came indicating that the death toll was now at least twelve persons. It then came clearly to me that we must act immediately to resolve the risks associated with such recruitment processes, which have lingered for too long a time.”
Calling for urgent action, the Minority Chief Whip said, “I resolved to make this important call as the first step to immediately suspend the recruitment processes for the time being.
“We also must urgently ensure that the process be decentralised to address the excessively large crowds as well as the other risks faced by people travelling from various parts of the country.”
He called on the Defence Ministry to appear before Parliament to explain how such a tragedy could occur and what steps would be taken next.
“As an arm of government, we urgently need the Deputy Minister for Defence to come to the House and brief the people on what alternative measures will be employed to deal with such risks.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the country must see the incident for what it truly is — a collective failure.
“This is not merely a tragic accident; it is a profound and systemic failure, and the indictment of a system that has lost its effectiveness. This sad news from El-Wak is a deafening wake-up call. It is a direct summons to the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, and the nation at large.”
He warned that the tragedy raises questions far beyond recruitment procedures. “The question is no longer about protocol or procedure; it is about humanity and leadership.”
In his closing remarks, the MP urged a total review of recruitment practices.
“In the spirit of patriotism, and the begging need to honour those bold, hopeful victims, whose spirits led them only to the brink of true service to their nation, Ghana, we must review the existing practices relating to these recruitments.”
He cautioned that future recruitment drives could be crippled by public fear if reforms are not made.
“Let us bear in mind that a greater blow to our nation will be the day that men and women refuse to enlist because of the many challenges the Service agencies’ recruitments are plagued with.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said his appeal was not an attack on any state institution but a call for empathy and reform.
“My call is simple and devoid of ill will to any agency of the state, but rather an advocacy for the teeming youth who will today or tomorrow be faced with the same risks. Let it not be said that we looked on with heavy hearts and folded arms.”
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