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Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Peter Toobu, has sounded a grave warning that rising youth unemployment has become Ghana’s single biggest national security threat, following the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, that claimed six lives.
The stampede occurred during a Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment exercise, where thousands of hopeful applicants had gathered to undergo screening for limited slots in the military. The tragedy, which has since sparked nationwide outrage, has reignited debate about Ghana’s worsening job crisis and its implications for national stability.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News, Mr. Toobu described the incident as a painful reflection of the desperation facing Ghana’s unemployed youth, who increasingly view recruitment into the security services as their only route to survival.
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“The young men and women who have been queuing over the years — the numbers may be the same, but the character has changed. Years ago, people had hope that if one sector failed, another would be available,” he noted.
“But today, most are not necessarily chasing a career; they just want something that can earn them a salary. They are desperate because they believe there’s nothing else if they miss this opportunity,” he added.
Mr. Toobu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Wa West, stressed that the government must treat youth unemployment as an urgent national emergency, not just an economic challenge. He said the state risks losing control of social order if young people continue to feel excluded from opportunities.
“Unemployment among the youth bracket is the greatest national security threat,” he declared. “When frustration and hopelessness rise among a country’s young population, crime, extremism, and social unrest are not far behind.”
He called on the government to develop long-term, sustainable job creation strategies that extend beyond temporary employment schemes and to align education with marketable skills.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces have suspended all ongoing recruitment exercises at the El-Wak Sports Stadium until further notice, as investigations continue into what led to the deadly crush.
The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for a more transparent, decentralised, and digitised recruitment system to prevent overcrowding and ensure fairness in the selection process.
As the country mourns the six victims, Mr. Toobu’s warning underscores a deeper truth — that Ghana’s future peace and security hinge on how swiftly and seriously leaders act to confront the unemployment crisis.
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