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At least 6 individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were injured, among them five who remain in critical condition.

Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.

Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.