Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has described the El-Wak tragedy as a revelation of deep systemic failure within Ghana’s military recruitment process.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament hours after the incident on November 12, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP said the nation must act immediately to correct the lapses that led to the deaths of the young recruits.
“Mr Speaker, 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 said.
He noted that the Ghana Armed Forces had confirmed the incident in a press statement earlier in the day.
“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.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh reflected on the tragedy with a quote from 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.
This is no small matter to shelve, and as concerned and indeed affected leaders, we must move to restore hope in our people even in this time of grief.”
He said his grief deepened when reports showed that the death toll had risen to twelve.
“My grief heightened when other reports came indicating that the death toll was now at least twelve persons,” he said.
“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.”
The Minority Chief Whip called for an immediate suspension of the ongoing recruitment process.
“I resolved to make this important call as the first step to immediately suspend the recruitment processes for the time,” he said.
He further urged the decentralisation of the process to prevent overcrowding.
“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 added.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh called for accountability and transparency from the Defence Ministry.
“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.
He stressed that the tragedy must be seen as a national failure, not an isolated mishap.
“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. The question is no longer about protocol or procedure; it is about humanity and leadership.”
The MP urged Parliament to review recruitment practices in honour 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 reform could deter future enlistment. “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 concluded his statement with a plea for action and compassion.
“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. I thank you for the opportunity, Mr Speaker.”