Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has queried why the Ghana Armed Forces still conduct large, infrequent recruitment drives, which often lead to overcrowding and safety lapses.
He suggests instead a continuous enlistment system to prevent such tragedies.
According to him, the army doesn’t have to wait and do it once every year or sometimes two years, which accumulates so many people that have to rush and end up losing their lives,” he stated.
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Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday after Parliament was briefed about the incident by acting Defence Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Speaker said the tragedy should compel Ghana to rethink the whole process of enlistment, recruitment, and employment in the public service. He emphasised the need for a more efficient and humane approach.
He expressed sorrow over the tragic incident, describing it as a wake-up call for a comprehensive review of the country’s enlistment and recruitment systems.
The Speaker extended condolences on behalf of Parliament to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Mr. Bagbin described the Ghana Armed Forces as one of the most respected institutions in the country, noting that public trust in the military often surpasses that in politicians.
The Speaker directed the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior to investigate the incident and follow up on measures taken by the Ministry of Defence.
“Even though measures have been taken, I will direct our committee to follow up on the process and later brief the House. Leaders should schedule a date for the minister to provide a full report,” he instructed.
He also called for the expedited appointment of a substantive Minister for Defence, noting that the acting minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is overburdened with other responsibilities.
The tragic incident at El-Wak Stadium occurred during a military recruitment exercise, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Preliminary reports suggest overcrowding and poor crowd control as contributing factors.
The government has since suspended the exercise in Accra pending investigations into the circumstances that led to the accident.