The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC), currently holding its 2025 Annual Plenary Assembly in Damongo, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident that occurred at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra during the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
In a statement released from Damongo and signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the bishops said they received the heartbreaking news with “profound sorrow” and extended their “prayerful solidarity” to the bereaved families and the injured.
According to the Acting Minister of Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, thirty-four (34) casualties were recorded, including six (6) confirmed deaths. Five (5) victims remain in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit, twelve (12) are in fairly critical condition, while the remaining are stable and under observation. The Minister also announced an internal investigation into the cause of the stampede.
The bishops, describing the tragedy as “a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the need for systems that uphold human dignity,” called for a thorough investigation and the implementation of measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“We stand in prayerful solidarity with the affected families who mourn, the wounded who struggle to heal, and all who have been shaken by this loss,” the statement read. “We reaffirm our commitment to promoting systems that respect the sanctity of human life, foster accountability, curtail indiscipline, and advance the common good of our beloved country.”
The Conference further urged national leaders and institutions to prioritize safety, discipline, and justice in all public activities, especially those involving large gatherings of citizens.
Concluding the statement, the bishops invoked God’s mercy upon the deceased and His healing grace upon the injured, praying that “justice and compassion will guide our national response and bring healing and peace to our land.”
The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference Plenary Assembly, currently underway in Damongo, brings together all Catholic bishops in Ghana to deliberate on national, ecclesial, and social issues under the theme: “A Synodal Church at the Service of Justice and Peace in Ghana.”
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
