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At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.

Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.