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No fewer than 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.

A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.

Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.