The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior, chaired by James Agalga, has visited victims of the recent El-Wak Stadium stampede who are receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
Mr. Agalga explained that the visit followed two statements made on the floor of Parliament by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh and Edem Agbana, which highlighted the urgent need for parliamentary intervention.
“We are here in pursuit of the Speaker’s directive that the Committee takes steps to look into the matter, whether in the form of a probe or investigation,” he stated.
He noted that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has already set up a Board of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Mr. Agalga assured the victims that Parliament remains concerned about their welfare and is committed to ensuring accountability and implementing preventive measures.
Ranking Member of the Committee, Ntim Fordjour, expressed sympathy to the victims and their families while urging calm.
“We will look into this objectively and offer constructive recommendations for the way forward,” he said.
Mr. Fordjour called on the government to suspend all ongoing nationwide recruitment exercises until comprehensive safety protocols are implemented.
“In the best interest of safeguarding the lives of potential recruits, we are appealing to the government to halt or suspend all nationwide recruitment exercises until optimal safety measures are in place,” he added.
He also recommended adequate compensation for the families of those who lost their lives and urged that recovered victims deemed medically fit be given priority in future recruitment.
Mr. Fordjour reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to supporting the GAF and the Ministry of Defence in instituting effective measures to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
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