The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has challenged claims by a journalist that fire personnel stole money from him during an alleged assault at the Kasoa New Market fire scene, insisting that the allegation must be supported with evidence.
The Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, DO II Desmond Ackah, said the Service is exercising restraint and allowing the Police to conduct a full investigation into the incident to establish the facts.
“I want to restrain myself and allow the Police to do their investigations. We want to get to the bottom of this matter,” Mr Ackah stated.
He stressed that if the journalist maintains that fire officers took money from him, he must be prepared to substantiate the claim.
“If he says firemen took his money, then he should be ready. Our men are also ready to assist with investigations. If he claims he lost money at the scene, he should provide evidence,” he said.
DO II Ackah cautioned that if investigations reveal the claim to be false or intended to create public disaffection against the GNFS, the journalist should equally be prepared to face the consequences.
He further warned the journalist to be cautious and avoid making statements that could mislead the public or damage the image of the Service.
Meanwhile, the journalist involved, Samuel Addo of Class Media Group, has maintained that he was assaulted while carrying out his professional duties at the fire scene.
He further alleged that his mobile phone was seized but was later retrieved through the intervention of the Member of Parliament for the area, Phyllis Naa Koryor. However, he claims that GHS10,200 out of the GHS20,000 he had on him at the time of the incident remains missing..
