Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has described the El-Wak Sports Stadium tragedy as a wake-up call to the nation and a sign of systemic failure.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, November 12, said the deaths of young Ghanaians seeking to join the Ghana Armed Forces must not be treated as a routine accident.
“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,” he stated.
“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. The question is no longer about protocol or procedure; it is about humanity and leadership.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the news of the tragedy left him deeply shaken.
“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 (GAF), which took place at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra,” he told the House.
He noted that the incident had since claimed more lives. “My grief heightened when other reports came indicating that the death toll was now at least 12 persons,” he said.
Annor-Dompreh called for immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
“We must act immediately to resolve the risks associated with such recruitment processes, which have lingered for too long a time,” he urged.
“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 said the Deputy Minister for Defence must appear before Parliament to brief the House on alternative measures to protect prospective recruits.
“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,” he said.
Annoh-Dompreh urged a national review of recruitment practices to restore confidence and honour the memory of the victims.
“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 said.
He warned that failure to act decisively could deter future enlistments.
“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,” he added.
He ended his statement with an emotional appeal for responsibility and leadership.
“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.”