Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media, has filed an official police report detailing a violent assault and alleged robbery he claims was carried out by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). The incident occurred while Mr. Addo was performing his lawful duties, covering a recent fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market.

According to Mr. Addo's harrowing account, the altercation began when he visited the local fire station to seek the GNFS's official statement after initially reporting on the market fire for a morning show. While at the station, he witnessed what he described as officers assaulting civilians. Deciding to document the scene, he began filming. He recounts that a lone officer initially approached him, and after Mr. Addo identified himself as a media professional, the officer walked away. However, minutes later, approximately ten officers, including the first one, returned and confronted him. Mr. Addo stated, "They held my neck, pulled my hands behind my back, and assaulted me." During the assault, his phone and belt were reportedly taken. While his mobile phone was later returned through the intervention of the area's Member of Parliament, Phyllis Naa Koryor, a significant sum of money vanished from his bag. Mr. Addo discovered GHS10,200 was missing from the GHS20,000 he had been carrying. He has been issued a police medical form and is seeking hospital treatment for his injuries, confirming that the missing cash remains unrecovered and everything has been reported to the police.

The alleged attack has drawn widespread condemnation and intensified scrutiny on the safety of journalists in Ghana, as well as the conduct of state security personnel. Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Interim President of the West Africa Editors’ Society (WAES), described the incident as 'horrendous' and a clear display of indiscipline by state security personnel. Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, January 5, Mr. Dogbevi expressed shock after watching a viral video linked to the incident, highlighting an officer using a plastic helmet to hit the journalist. He emphasized that trained security officers should exercise restraint and control emotions, warning that violence undermines public trust. Mr. Dogbevi also questioned the government’s commitment to protecting journalists, noting a persistent lack of accountability for security officers who assault members of the press despite repeated assurances, insisting such assaults are criminal acts under Ghanaian law that demand justice, not administrative handling.

The Class Media Group, Mr. Addo's employer, also issued a statement on Monday, January 5, condemning the assault and calling for a thorough investigation. Alhaji Seidu Agongo, speaking on behalf of the media group, stressed that such incidents not only threaten press freedom and the safety of journalists but also undermine Ghana’s credibility as a champion of media rights. The group urged authorities to conduct a “swift and impartial investigation” to establish facts and ensure accountability, reiterating its commitment to promoting responsible journalism.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has also taken note of the incident. The General Secretary of the GJA, Dominic Hlodzi, confirmed in an interview on Joy FM's Top Story that the Association is engaging relevant stakeholders to understand what transpired and plans to hold a press conference to properly address the matter. The incident, involving a journalist filming a confrontation between firefighters and traders at the Kasoa New Market, has sparked widespread concern within media circles, with calls for the protection of journalists in the lawful discharge of their duties.

While GNFS Public Relations Officer Desmond Ackah reportedly stated in a Starr FM report that the officers only seized Mr. Addo’s phone because he was recording an altercation without permission, WAES has vehemently countered this stance. WAES Interim President Emmanuel K. Dogbevi unequivocally stated that journalists do not need prior approval to record events in public spaces. He urged members of the security services to recognize the vital role of journalism in a progressive society and cease attacking journalists who are simply performing their jobs. This latest allegation further fuels ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists, especially those covering emergencies and security operations, and highlights the urgent need for accountability to safeguard Ghana’s free press environment. A formal police investigation into the events at the Kasoa fire station is currently underway.