Journalist Accuses Fire Service Officers of Assault During Kasoa Fire Coverage

Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media, has lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging that officers of the Ghana National Fire Service assaulted him while he was on duty.

The incident reportedly took place when Addo was covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market. According to him, the situation escalated after he went to the Kasoa fire station to get the Fire Service’s side of the story, having already reported on the incident during a morning show.

Addo said he attempted to film what he claims was an altercation between fire service officers and some civilians. He recounted that one officer initially approached him, and after he identified himself as a journalist, the officer left. Moments later, the officer returned with about ten others.

“They held my neck, forced my hands behind my back, and beat me,” Addo said, describing the alleged assault. He further claimed that the officers seized his mobile phone and tore off his belt.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News, Addo revealed that although his phone was later returned following the intervention of the area’s Member of Parliament, Phyllis Naa Koryor, some of his money went missing. He said GHS10,200 was taken from the GHS20,000 he had on him at the time.

The journalist has since been issued a police medical form and is seeking medical attention for injuries he sustained. “The money is still missing, and I have reported everything to the police,” he stated.

The alleged incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of journalists while performing their duties and the conduct of security personnel. Police have launched an investigation into the events at the Kasoa fire station.