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No fewer than 6 people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.

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

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.