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At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.

22 others were injured, including five who are in critical condition.

A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

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

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

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