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No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.

22 others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.

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

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

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

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