GNFS confirms Police investigation into alleged assault on journalist

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that the police have launched an investigation into an alleged assault on Class Media Group journalist, Samuel Addo, while he was covering a fire outbreak at Kasoa New Market in the Central Region.

Reports indicate that the journalist was physically confronted by some fire service officers who allegedly tried to prevent him from filming the scene on Monday, January 5, 2026. A video circulating online shows Addo being manhandled amid a chaotic scene, with some personnel shouting at him.

In a statement issued on January 5, the GNFS assured the public of its full cooperation with authorities to establish the facts.

The Service clarified that the video captures an altercation between firefighters and a suspected thief, who, along with accomplices, had attacked personnel at the fire scene.

“Management of the Service has constituted a committee to investigate the incident thoroughly and establish all relevant facts,” the statement said.

The Service urged the public to remain calm and exercise restraint while investigations are ongoing.

The GNFS further stated that while it condemns attacks on its personnel, it equally frowns upon any physical or verbal assault on civilians by its staff, regardless of provocation.

“GNFS remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the discharge of its mandate and will continue to cooperate with the media and relevant authorities to ensure accurate public information,” the statement added.

The fire at Kasoa New Market broke out on January 5, 2026. According to the GNFS, the distress call was received at 4:50 p.m., and the first fire tender from the Kasoa Fire Station arrived eight minutes later, by which time the fire had reached an advanced stage.

Read the statement below by the GNFS

PRESS RELEASE

TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES

JANUARY 05, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

*GNFS CLARIFIES VIRAL VIDEO ALLEGING ASSAULTS BY FIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL*

1. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has taken note of a viral video circulating on social media which allegedly shows some yet-to-be-identified Fire Service personnel assaulting a civilian whose identity has not been established.

2. The Service confirms that the alleged assault of a journalist is under police investigation, and that GNFS will fully cooperate to establish the facts.

3. The video captures an altercation between firefighters and a suspected thief, who had earlier attacked firefighters along with a group of accomplices at the fire scene.

4. Management of the Service has constituted a committee to investigate the incident thoroughly and establish all relevant facts.

5. While GNFS condemns attacks on its personnel, it equally frowns upon any form of physical or verbal assault on civilians by its personnel, regardless of the level of provocation.

6. The Ghana National Fire Service therefore urges the public to remain calm and exercise restraint while the investigations continue.

7. GNFS remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the discharge of its mandate and will continue to cooperate with the media and relevant authorities to ensure accurate public information.

8. Further updates on this matter will be communicated as necessary.

*END*

SIGNED

DESMOND E. ACKAH
DIVISIONAL OFFICER GRADE TWO (DO II)
HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

*NOTE TO EDITORS*
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_Please for your kindest publication._