The heartbreaking stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium that claimed six lives during a military recruitment exercise has triggered fresh calls for reform in the laws that govern the country’s public order. Leading this call for reforms is CUTS International, a consumer protection organization.
CUTS International Accra, a public policy think tank, says the tragedy is another painful reminder of Ghana’s weak institutional preparedness and poor crowd management systems, and it’s time to act now on the laws.
In a statement signed by its West Africa Regional Director, Appiah Kusi Adomako, CUTS called on Parliament to urgently amend the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491) to expand its scope and compel event organisers to meet basic health and safety standards before hosting large gatherings.
This tragedy once again exposes Ghana’s weak institutional preparedness and poor crowd management systems,” the director who doubles as a legal practitioner recounted.
A Tragedy that Could Have Been Prevented
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He narrates that the chaos at El-Wak, where thousands of desperate job seekers were packed tightly under the scorching sun, mirrors a worrying pattern across Ghana. From church crusades and funerals to conferences and school registration exercises, large numbers of people continue to gather in poorly planned spaces with little to no emergency exits or safety protocols.
The lawyer cited that the confusion witnessed during this year’s Senior High School reporting exercise, where parents and students queued for over 12 hours, is another example of poor coordination and disregard for citizens’ time and safety.
For the organisation, this is not an isolated failure; it is a systemic one.
Why Ghana Needs a Stronger Public Order Law
The current Public Order Act, CUTS International argues, focuses heavily on the police’s role in approving public gatherings but pays little attention to safety planning, emergency response, or the role of local authorities.
To fix this, the organization wants Parliament to amend the law to redefine “special events” to include religious, social, and sporting gatherings. Organisers would be legally required to obtain safety certification before events are approved.
Venues that fail to meet these standards, such as having multiple emergency exits, functional fire systems, and visible signage, should be closed down until they comply.
He emphasized that public safety should not depend on luck or sympathy after a tragedy. “We need a law that demands accountability before lives are lost, not after,” he noted.
Empowering the Police and Local Authorities
CUTS also wants the Police and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to be given the legal authority to inspect and enforce safety measures at all public venues. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), it added, should develop a uniform framework for compliance, with regular evacuation drills and surprise inspections.
Drawing inspiration from other countries, CUTS cited the United Kingdom’s Safety of Sports Grounds Act and India’s National Disaster Management Authority rules as examples Ghana can learn from.
Both laws mandate safety certificates, venue capacity limits, and on-site medical services before major events take place.
Use Technology to Save Lives
Beyond regulation, CUTS believes technology can help prevent overcrowding. It points to the Passport Office’s online appointment system as a success story in reducing congestion.
Agencies must adopt similar digital booking systems to control crowd size. The Ghana Armed Forces, he says, could have set daily limits for the recruitment exercise and denied entry once the venue reached capacity.”
Time and Safety Are Consumer Rights
CUTS says time and safety must now be treated as fundamental consumer rights in Ghana. It argues that spending long hours in queues or risking one’s life in unsafe environments reflects poor institutional respect for citizens.
Respect for time and safety should be seen as part of consumer protection in public service delivery.
While expressing deep sorrow over the deaths at El-Wak, CUTS urged the government not to let this tragedy fade away like others before it.
“We must not let these innocent job seekers die in vain,” Mr. Adomako stated. “We owe it to them to fix our broken system. A strong national framework that enforces planning, simulation, and accountability will save lives and restore public confidence.”
