News
Scores throng El-Wak for recruitment exercise…as GAF puts in safety measures
Despite the tragic incident that characterised last week’s recruitment exercise slated for the El-Wak Stadium, scores of hopeful recruits thronged the various recruitment centres across the Greater Accra Region when the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) resumed the processes for the 2025/26 enlistment exercise on Thursday, November 20.
For many of these young applicants, the tragedy did little to weaken their long-held dreams of wearing the military uniform. Instead, they arrived determined but cautious, moving through the newly structured screening lanes set up by the Armed Forces to prevent overcrowding and restore confidence in the process.
The stampede, which happened when a large crowd surged towards an entrance, left several applicants injured and brought the exercise to an abrupt halt. The incident prompted GAF to suspend the recruitment and establish a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident.
With the exercise now back on course, the Armed Forces announced several safety adjustments. Under the new arrangement, screening was conducted at eight sub-centres within five key locations including El-Wak Stadium, Nicholson Park at Burma Camp, the Air Force Base, TRADOC at Teshie and the Eastern Naval Command in Tema.
To avoid a repeat of last week’s congestion, applicants were scheduled in batches of 600, each receiving a text message indicating their reporting date, batch, and designated centre. Those who did not receive a message were advised to contact the dedicated helplines, while families and friends were discouraged from accompanying applicants to reduce pressure at the gates.
In a bid to ensure transparency as the investigation continues, the entire Greater Accra Recruitment Team was reassigned, with Commodore F.A. Nyarko, Colonel F. Kusi-Darko and Colonel G.B. Eduah taking over as Director General Human Resource, Director Manpower and Director Information Technology respectively.
The GAF, however, expressed regret over the tragedy, extending sympathies to bereaved families and wishing the injured a swift recovery. According to GAF, all the injured persons will continue to receive free medical care at the 37 Military Hospital. In a compassionate gesture, GAF promised a special recruitment package for the injured after full recovery, as well as for families who lost loved ones.
It appealed to the public for patience and cooperation as the recruitment process continues under enhanced safety measures.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
