Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media, who was allegedly assaulted by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market, has officially reported the incident to the police.
Mr Addo claims he lost GHS10,200 during the altercation, although his mobile phone, which was taken at the time, has since been retrieved and returned to him.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Mr Addo said he had initially filed a report on the morning show before approaching fire service personnel to obtain their version of events. Upon arriving at their station, he said he observed officers allegedly assaulting civilians.
“I decided to capture the scene,” he recounted. “As I was filming, a young fire service personnel approached me. I introduced myself as a media person, and he walked away. A few minutes later, about 10 of them, including the same officer, came toward me. They held my neck, pulled my hands behind my back, and assaulted me.
“They took my phone, tore my belt, and took both away. Later, I realised my bag was open, and upon checking, I discovered that GHS10,200 was missing from the GHS20,000 I had with me.”
Mr Addo said his mobile phone was returned through the intervention of the Member of Parliament for the area, Phyllis Naa Koryor. He added that he has been issued a medical form and is proceeding to a hospital for treatment.
“The money is still missing. I have reported everything to the police,” he added.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of journalists covering emergency situations and the conduct of security personnel in public spaces.
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