GAF Recruitment Stampede Tragedy: TUC Extends Condolences to Bereaved Family

Accra: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has extended its condolences to the bereaved families of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment tragedy and wishes a swift recovery to those who sustained injuries. A statement issued by Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, expressed sorrow and concern over the tragic incident that occurred during the GAF recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. This incident led to the death of six young women and left several others injured. According to Ghana News Agency, the TUC highlighted this unfortunate event as a reminder of the growing desperation among Ghana's youth in their pursuit of employment. The statement emphasized the urgent need for recruitment processes, particularly those conducted by public institutions, to be carried out in a safe, dignified, and transparent manner. It pointed out that the incident underscores the need to address the youth unemployment crisis and the desperate conditions that force young people to endure unsafe and dehumanizing recruitment processes in their search for work. The TUC has called on the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Defence, and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the causes of this tragic incident. It urged for accountability and the implementation of measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The TUC also advocated for a review of recruitment and selection procedures within the security services to ensure safety, order, and fairness for all applicants. Additionally, it stressed the need to tackle youth unemployment through sustainable job creation, vocational training, and empowerment programs, with attention to young women. The statement concluded with a message of solidarity, expressing support for the affected families and young people of Ghana during these challenging times.