GAF dismisses claims of abandoning Baba Yara stampede victim, details GH¢113,800 welfare support

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed suggestions that it has abandoned Sandra Baafi Boateng, a 25-year-old victim of the military recruitment stampede at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, outlining medical, financial and welfare support provided to her and her family since the incident.

In a statement detailing its interventions, the military said it had spent approximately GH¢113,800 on Sandra’s medical care, provided her family with GH¢30,000 in financial assistance and facilitated the recruitment of her sister into the Ghana Army.

Sandra sustained a severe traumatic head injury during the November 12, 2025, stampede, which occurred as thousands of applicants gathered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for a military recruitment exercise.

The incident, which resulted in multiple casualties, triggered public concern over crowd management, security arrangements and the safety of applicants at military recruitment centres.

Following the incident, Sandra was admitted to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), where she received treatment from November 12, 2025, to February 26, 2026.

The Ghana Armed Forces said that following a visit by a Ministry of Defence delegation on February 20, 2026, Sandra’s family requested her transfer to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for further medical attention.

In response, the military arranged an air medical evacuation, with a team of military medical personnel transporting her from Kumasi to Accra on February 26, 2026.

At the time of the transfer, Sandra was semi-conscious but responsive to pain. Medical personnel at KATH had informed the military team that she had been taken off the ventilator and was receiving nutrition through a feeding tube.

A medical review conducted on March 8, 2026, indicated that her condition remained largely unchanged following the transfer.

However, the 37 Military Hospital provided additional specialist services, including dietetic care, palliative support and physiotherapy. Her mother also received assistance from the hospital’s Therapy and Wellness team.

The military further disclosed that Sandra’s medical bill at KATH, covering the period from November 12, 2025, to February 26, 2026, amounted to approximately GH¢85,000 and was being paid.

Her eight-month admission at the 37 Military Hospital, from February 26 to October 28, 2026, was estimated at GH¢28,800, based on a daily cost of GH¢120.

The combined medical expenditure at the two facilities therefore stands at approximately GH¢113,800.

Following her discharge from the 37 Military Hospital on October 28, 2026, Sandra’s family requested that she be returned to Kumasi.

The Ghana Armed Forces said it assured the family that her medical needs would continue to receive attention through the 4th Military Hospital (4 MRS) in Kumasi until her full recovery.

As part of its welfare interventions, the military organised a brief ceremony at the General Headquarters Public Affairs Conference Hall on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to support the parents of two victims discharged from the 37 Military Hospital.

The event was attended by senior military officials, including the Director-General of Human Resource, Director-General of Religious Affairs, Director of Military Police, a representative of the Medical Branch and the Director of Discipline.

Before the presentation, the Director-General of Religious Affairs counselled the parents and offered prayers for them.

At the ceremony, Sandra’s mother received GH¢30,000 in financial assistance and an air bed to improve her daughter’s comfort and care.

A wheelchair was also offered to the family, but her mother declined the gesture, explaining that they already had one.

The military also disclosed that it had made arrangements to transport Sandra from Accra to Kumasi using a military ambulance.

However, her mother reportedly expressed a preference for air transportation. Since an airlift could not be arranged at the time, she declined the military ambulance and opted to travel with the National Ambulance Service.

In a further intervention, the Ghana Armed Forces introduced an arrangement to provide recruitment opportunities for family members of victims in place of their affected relatives.

Under the arrangement, Sandra’s sister, Mercy Bioh, is currently undergoing training at the Army Recruit Training School (ARTS) at Shai Hills.

The military says the interventions form part of its continued commitment to Sandra and her family, adding that her medical care will continue through the 4th Military Hospital in Kumasi following her discharge from the 37 Military Hospital.

The latest account comes amid public interest in the welfare of victims of the November 2025 recruitment stampede and questions about the support being provided to those who sustained life-changing injuries.

The Ghana Armed Forces maintains that its responsibility towards Sandra and her family has not ended with her discharge from the military hospital.