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At least six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.

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

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.

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