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At least six people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.

A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.

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

Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.

Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.