Source: Africa Publicity
A senior lecturer and political scientist at the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. Joshua Zaato has described as “insensitive” comments made by the Member of Parliament (MP), Ayamba Ayii Laadi, on the deaths of six young Ghanaian women during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise stampede in Accra.
MP Ayamba Ayii Laadi had said the death of the six young Ghanaian women in a stampede during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 was ordained by Allah. She said it was the day for them to die, noting that the deaths of the six women were “beyond human control” and “ordained by Allah.”
But speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr. Zaato said the MP’s comments which have sparked outrage across Ghana, were “insensitive” and a reflection of “mediocrity” in Ghana’s political leadership.
Speaking on the AM Show monitored by Africa Publicity, Dr. Zaato expressed deep disappointment in the comments made by Ayamba Ayii Laadi, saying they were completely out it touch with the grief the families were suffering.
He says “if you had nothing to say, young girls died. Mothers were mourning, mothers were crying,” adding that “When you have such people making policies for us, you wonder where we are as a country. When you have such mediocrity…it’s heartbreaking.”
According to him, the reaction from other MPs in Parliament as she made the comments showed that they were so much uncomfortable with what she was saying.
He says “Everybody in the chamber was cringing. You could feel it. People were like, ‘no no, no – this woman is not ready to be called honourable.”
Tragedy
At least six young women died in the stampede during the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise in Accra.
President John Dramani Mahama confirmed the tragedy which occurred during the exercise at the military-owned El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, saying 12 others remain in critical condition.
The deadly stampede happened on Wednesday, 12, 2025, when thousands of job seekers thronged the El-Wak Sports for the Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise. The stampede forced GAF to suspend its recruitment exercise.
Speaking at the Nkoko Nkitinkiti (small chicken) Poultry Initiative in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, President Mahama described the stampede as a “heartbreaking loss for the entire nation”, disclosing that all six victims were female.
According to him, “The tragic news is that I have been informed by the military that six young women, who simply sought an opportunity to serve their nation, lost their lives in this heartbreaking incident. We are praying for 12 others who remain in critical condition”.
President Mahama has upon his return to Accra, visited the injured at the 37 Military Hospital where they are on admission.
The Ghana Armed Forces provided a detailed update on casualties from the tragic stampede, saying a total of 28 applicants were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for emergency treatment.
It says out of this number, six were confirmed dead, five are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and twelve others remain in critical condition.
President Mahama has since called for a thorough probe into the circumstances that led to to tragedy, calling for improved safety measures during public recruitment and national events.
Ghana Army Sets Up Board
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has since established an internal board to investigate the deadly stampede.
Acting Defence Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the establishment of the Board while addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
He expressed sorrow over the deadly stampede, extending GAF’s condolences to the affected families.
According to the Acting Defence Minister, “The Ministry of Defence deeply mourns the loss of lives and extend condolences to the affected families. We’re working closely with the Ghana Armed Forces, medical teams and law enforcement agencies to provide full support to the injured and to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy.”
He said “As a result, the Ghana Armed Forces has instituted an internal board of inquiry to investigate the cause of the this unfortunate incident. The safety and dignity of applicants remain paramount and the ministry will take every step necessary to prevent recurrence of this matter.”
Dr. Forson says “The board will look into the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident, ensure accountability, and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” he said.
Details regarding the composition of the board or the timeline for its investigation have not yet been disclosed.”
