The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of all personnel involved in the alleged assault on a Class Media Group journalist.
Reports indicate that Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media Group, was assaulted by fire service officers who allegedly tried to prevent him from filming a fire scene on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region. A video circulating online shows Addo being manhandled amid a chaotic scene, with some personnel shouting at him.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, January 6, Mr. Dwumfour said internal disciplinary measures alone are insufficient, noting that the incident constitutes a criminal matter that must be tested in court to serve as a deterrent.
“The GJA calls on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately cause the arrest, thorough investigation, and prosecution of all personnel involved in this criminal act. We stress that internal disciplinary measures alone are insufficient. This is a criminal matter that must be tested in a court of law to serve as a clear deterrent,” he said.
Mr. Dwumfour added that Mr. Addo had formally reported the assault at the Kasoa New Market Police Station and urged the Police Administration to act swiftly and decisively.
The GJA also demanded that the leadership of the Ghana National Fire Service, led by Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, publicly condemn the assault, identify the officers involved, and apply severe internal sanctions, including dismissal where appropriate.
“Furthermore, the GJA demands that the leadership of the Ghana National Fire Service, led by the Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, publicly condemns this assault, identifies the officers involved, and applies severe internal sanctions, including dismissal where appropriate. Any attempt to shield the perpetrators or trivialise the incident will be fiercely resisted,” he stressed.
The call highlights the GJA’s commitment to protecting press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists in the line of duty.
The GJA also called for the immediate removal of DOII Desmond Ackah as Head of Public Affairs for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The call comes after reports that Ghana National Fire Service personnel allegedly assaulted a Class Media Group journalist while covering the Kasoa New Market fire on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The GJA President, Albert Dwumfour, criticized DOII Ackah for what he described as unprofessional conduct in handling the incident.
Dwumfour maintained that the GNFS spokesperson’s interactions with the media indicate he is unfit to serve in his current role. He accused Ackah of defending the actions of the personnel involved with “confidence, insolence, and arrogance.”
“He has demonstrated incompetence and contradicted himself so much. I don’t think our media should ever deal with him. We are serving this notice to ensure action is taken immediately. In the worst scenario, he can be seconded or interdicted. We don’t want him there,” he added.
