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At least six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

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

Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

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

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

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