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At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.

22 additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.

The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the process.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

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

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