The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure the prompt arrest and prosecution of all personnel implicated in the alleged assault on a journalist from Class Media Group.
According to reports, Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media Group, was assaulted by officers from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) who reportedly attempted to stop him from filming a fire incident at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region on Monday, January 5, 2026.
A video making the rounds on social media depicts Addo being roughly handled in a chaotic environment, with some officers shouting at him.
Addressing the media at a press conference on Tuesday, January 6, Mr. Dwumfour emphasized that mere internal disciplinary actions would not suffice, as the matter is criminal in nature and requires judicial proceedings to act 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 stated.
Mr. Dwumfour further noted that Mr. Addo has lodged a formal complaint at the Kasoa New Market Police Station and called on the Police Administration to handle the case with urgency and resolve.
Additionally, the GJA has called on the GNFS leadership, under Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, to issue a public condemnation of the assault, identify the culpable officers, and impose stringent internal penalties, which could include dismissal.
“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 asserted.