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At least six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.

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

22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.

Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.