Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media, has filed a formal complaint with the police following an alleged assault and robbery by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while covering a fire at Kasoa New Market.
The incident reportedly took place last week as Mr. Addo was reporting on the fire outbreak. In an interview with Accra-based Citi News, he explained that after filing a morning show report, he visited a nearby fire station to obtain the GNFS’s official statement on the incident.
Upon arrival, he said he witnessed fire service officers allegedly assaulting civilians and decided to record the scene.
“As I was filming, a young fire service officer approached me. I introduced myself as a journalist, and he walked away,” Mr. Addo recounted.
He said the situation later escalated when about ten officers, including the same personnel, confronted him.
“They held my neck, pulled my hands behind my back, and assaulted me. They took my phone, tore my belt, and left with both,” he added.
Mr. Addo said his phone was later retrieved with the help of the area’s Member of Parliament, Phyllis Naa Koryor. However, he discovered that GHS10,200 of the GHS20,000 he had on him was missing.
He has since been issued a police medical form and plans to receive treatment at a hospital. The missing cash has not yet been recovered.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
