The Member of Parliament for Sunyani West Constituency, Millicent Yeboah Amankwah, has described Wednesday , November 12, 2025, as one of the saddest days of her life following the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise, which claimed the lives of six female applicants.
In a heartfelt statement issued on Thursday, the MP said she was left “speechless” after learning of the incident, unable to utter a word during parliamentary proceedings due to the profound shock.
“Yesterday was one of the saddest days of my life after the shocking news of the death of our dear six females,” Amankwah stated.
“I put myself in the shoes of both the applicants as well as family members who were expecting good news after the selection process, only to find out that their daughter or family member is dead and won’t return, all in the name of seeking a job,” the MP added.
The stampede occurred amid a massive turnout of job seekers at the recruitment centre, highlighting the desperate unemployment crisis gripping Ghana’s youth.
She warned that the incident serves as a bad omen and a wake-up call for leaders to address the high unemployment rate with sustainable solutions.
“I can only imagine the reality of how this bad omen hitting our faces this morning… considering how scary the future looks if we are unable to provide sustainable remedies to the high rate of unemployment,” she added.
During an afternoon meeting with delegates from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, led by Dr. Udo Bullmann, a Member of the European Parliament, the visitors extended their condolences before discussions on youth capacity building and job creation initiatives.
“My heart went out to the families of the deceased and the injured. We are standing in solidarity with them and grieving with them in this hour of sorrow,” Amankwah said.
She noted that the engagement renewed commitment to national development opportunities for young people.
Echoing sentiments from Pusiga MP Hon. Laadi Ayii Ayamba on the phrase “Allah knows best,” the Sunyani West lawmaker urged a mindset shift towards certain jobs and a comprehensive review of security agency recruitment processes.
“Furthermore, to review the whole process of recruitment into the Security Agencies. If all could even be done at the same time, because you will still find huge numbers when the time is up for other security agencies like the Ghana Police, Ghana Immigration, Ghana Prisons, and the Ghana Fire Service,” she proposed.
Millicent Amankwah commended President John Dramani Mahama for his swift response and visit to the 37 Military Hospital to check on the injured.
She also praised Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga for allowing urgent statements in the House and leading a parliamentary delegation to the hospital, where they reported that the majority of the injured are women.
Additionally, she expressed gratitude to Acting Minister of Defence and Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson for visiting the hospital and providing a detailed briefing in Parliament.
“May the injured find swift recovery, and may God bless Ghana with strength and unity. Together, we will rise,” she concluded.