The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has resumed its recruitment exercise at the Eastern Naval Command in Tema New Town, with 409 out of the expected 500 applicants reporting on the first day.
The decentralization of the process became necessary following the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium last week, which claimed the lives of six prospective recruits on Wednesday, November 17, 2025.
The incident occurred as hundreds of applicants rushed to gain entry into the stadium, resulting in chaos. Several injured persons are still receiving medical attention, with some currently in critical condition at the ICU.
In response, the GAF suspended the Greater Accra recruitment exercise to restructure the process and prevent future occurrences. As part of the revised plan, the Eastern Naval Command has now been designated as one of eight sub-centres nationwide, specifically for applicants seeking enlistment into the Ghana Navy. The move aims to ensure an orderly, safer, and more efficient recruitment experience.
Addressing the media, Commodore Solomon Asiedu Larbi, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, expressed satisfaction with the smooth start of the exercise. He explained that the process has been divided into three stages:
Waiting
Documentation
Body inspection
He added that although the exercise is scheduled for three days, Saturday has been reserved as a mop-up day for applicants who may be unable to report on Thursday or Friday.
Some applicants who spoke to the media also expressed appreciation for the improved structure of the process, noting that it has made the enlistment experience more orderly and stress-free.
