The West Africa Editors Society (WAES) has demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged assault of a journalist by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 5, 2026, WAES said it was disturbed by a video circulating on social media showing what appears to be fire service officers physically attacking a journalist at the scene of a fire outbreak.
Journalist assaulted while on duty
The journalist, Samuel Addo of Class Media Group, told WAES that a fire broke out at the Kasoa New Market on Sunday, January 4, 2026. He said he stayed at the scene throughout the night to report on the incident and returned the following morning to do a follow-up report for his radio station’s morning programme.
According to Addo, while at the scene on Monday morning, he witnessed some fire officers allegedly assaulting a civilian. He said he took out his mobile phone to record the incident when about ten fire officers rushed him, seized his phone, and assaulted him — despite having identified himself as a journalist on official assignment.
Addo has since lodged a complaint with the police and has been issued a medical form to seek hospital treatment.
WAES said it reached out to the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Desmond Ackah, for his response, but he had not replied as of the time the statement was issued.
However, in a report by Starr FM, Mr Ackah was quoted as saying that the fire officers did not assault the journalist but only seized his phone because he was recording an altercation at the fire scene without permission.
WAES rejected that explanation, stressing that journalists do not need permission to record or film events in public places, particularly when carrying out their professional duties.
Threat to press freedom
The editors’ body expressed concern over what it described as the continued targeting of journalists by some officers of the security services, despite ongoing efforts to sensitise them on the role of the media.
“These attacks are a blot on Ghana’s free press environment,” WAES said, calling on the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service to investigate the matter and ensure accountability.
WAES warned that attacks on journalists undermine transparency, stifle journalism, and weaken democracy.
Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Interim President of WAES and Vice-President of the African Editors Forum (TAEF), said members of the security services should by now understand the importance of journalism in any democratic society.
“Reports of security service officers targeting journalists performing their constitutional duties do not reflect well on the image of the services, and this must stop,” he said.
WAES reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and called on authorities to act swiftly to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Rustum Senorgbe
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