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

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in critical condition.

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

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the process.

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

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

Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.