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No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two others were injured, including five who are in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.

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