The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has announced the resumption of its suspended Greater Accra recruitment exercise, beginning Thursday, November 20, 2025, following last week’s tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium. The military has rolled out a comprehensive set of new measures aimed at ensuring a safer, more controlled, and more transparent screening process.
In a statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations, GAF said the Accra phase of the recruitment will now be held across eight sub-centres spread over five key locations in the region. This decentralisation, the statement noted, is to prevent overcrowding and ensure a smooth flow of applicants throughout the screening period.
New Screening Locations
The revised centres are as follows:
El-Wak Stadium, Accra – 2 sub-centres
Nicholson Park, Burma Camp – 2 sub-centres
Air Force Base, Burma Camp – 1 sub-centre
Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Teshie – 2 sub-centres
Eastern Naval Command, Tema – 1 sub-centre
Batch Screening and SMS Notifications
To further enhance coordination, GAF will now screen applicants in batches of 600. Each applicant will receive an official SMS notification indicating their:
Reporting date
Batch number
Assigned screening centre
This measure is intended to eliminate mass gatherings and ensure that only the right number of candidates report at a given time.
New Rules and Safety Protocols
GAF has introduced several new mandatory rules for the Accra exercise:
Only applicants will be allowed entry into any screening centre. Family members, friends, and escorts will be denied access to prevent overcrowding.
More security personnel and screening officers will be deployed across all centres.
Efficient queuing systems, expanded waiting areas, and improved emergency response measures have been put in place.
The military assured the public that these changes were informed by the findings of its initial internal assessment, aimed at preventing a repeat of the unfortunate incident.
New Leadership Takes Over Accra Recruitment
The Armed Forces has also introduced new leadership to oversee the Greater Accra recruitment. The exercise will now be handled by:
Commodore F. A. Nyarko – Human Resources
Colonel F. Kusi-Darko – Manpower
Colonel G. B. Eduah – IT
GAF emphasized that any officer or individual found culpable for mismanagement in the previous exercise will face disciplinary action.
Support for Victims of the Stampede
The statement also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to supporting those affected by the recent tragedy. Injured applicants will continue to receive free medical treatment at the 37 Military Hospital until fully recovered. Families affected by the incident will also benefit from a special recruitment package, the statement added.
Commitment to Transparency and Order
GAF expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that the new measures reflect its commitment to transparency, safety, and fairness in the recruitment process.
“The Ghana Armed Forces remains resolute in conducting a responsible, safe, and credible recruitment exercise,” the statement concluded.
