The West Africa Editors Society (WAES) has dismissed claims by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) that its officers did not assault a journalist during the Kasoa New Market fire but merely seized his phone for recording without permission.
WAES said it had reached out to the GNFS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Desmond Ackah, via WhatsApp for comment but had not received an official response at the time the statement was issued.
However, the editors’ body cited a news report in which Mr. Ackah was quoted saying that GNFS personnel seized the journalist’s phone because he was recording an altercation at the fire scene without authorisation. WAES described this explanation as unacceptable, stressing that journalists do not require permission to film or record incidents in public spaces, particularly when performing their constitutional duties.
The organisation expressed concern that attacks on journalists by members of the security services continue despite repeated sensitisation on the role of the media. WAES described such incidents as a blot on Ghana’s press freedom record and called on the Ghana Police Service and the GNFS to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The Interim President of WAES, Mr. Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, who is also Vice-President of the African Editors Forum, emphasised that security officers must understand that journalism is essential to transparency and accountability in a democratic society and should be protected, not suppressed. He warned that continued attacks on journalists undermine public trust and damage the image of the security services, adding that such conduct must stop.
The incident involved Class Media Group journalist Samuel Addo, who was allegedly assaulted by several fire officers while covering the fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market in the Awutu Senya East Municipality.
According to Mr. Addo, he returned to the scene on Monday morning to file a follow-up report when he saw some officers assaulting a civilian and attempted to record the incident. He said about ten fire officers rushed him, seized his phone, and assaulted him despite him identifying himself as a journalist.
Mr. Addo has since lodged a complaint with the police and has been issued a medical report form for treatment.
