The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has lamented the death of six potential armed forces recruits.

She said the El-Wak sports stadium stampede which claimed the lives of the six young women was heartbreaking. 

She emphasised that government would ensure all six victims received appropriate burials. 

She was part of a delegation who visited bereaved families with commiserations.

“The government wants you to know that you're not in this alone; the whole nation is affected. Your children also belong to the state. The president wants you to know that he's standing with you in this period of mourning. You're not alone. His Excellency John Mahama stands with you through this painful period,” the minister established.

She added: “The arrangements in place for the deceased and the injured ones, the president says, he's standing with all of them. Those who require a befitting burial, he will stand with the support of the family to give them a befitting burial. And those who are also recovering at 37 Military Hospital, the government is bearing all the cost until such time that they fully recover.”

The Deputy Defense Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi, announced President John Mahama had directed for an automatic slot for a qualified member of each bereaved family.

The ministers spoke during a visit to one of the bereaved families at Eyan Maim, Central Region.

"The president has sent us to inform you that the state will stand with the families in the burial and funeral arrangements for the families," Mr Genfi said.

"The president has also asked us to inform you that all those who wanted to wear the military uniform but died in the process, their families should present a replacement for those people to be absorbed into the military. So, the authorities representing the government in the region will engage you in that regard for the family to decide on who can be enrolled into the military," he added.

When the tragedy happened, stunning the entire country, President John Dramani Mahama stopped by 37 Military Hospital to assess the situation and commiserate with the victims.

According to GAF, a section of the thousands of youth who gathered in hopes of enlistment at El-Wak, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, broke security protocols and rushed to the gates of the stadium ahead of the scheduled time causing the disastrous stampede. Many were injured, too.