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

The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.

A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.

Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.