By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Jan. 11, GNA – The West Africa Editors Society (WAES) has welcomed reports attributed to President John Dramani Mahama that officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) involved in the assault of journalist, named, Samuel Addo of the Class Media Group have been interdicted.
In a press release dated January 10 and signed by Mr Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Interim President of WAES, the Society recalled that a widely circulated video on social media showed a group of GNFS officers assaulting the journalist while he was covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region on Monday, January 5, 2026.
WAES described the reported interdiction as a positive step but noted that the information provided so far falls short of the standards of transparency and accountability expected in a democratic system of governance.
“In the interest of openness and public accountability, WAES is calling for the identification of the interdicted officers, including clarification on how many officers are affected,” the statement said.
The call follows earlier contradictory statements attributed to the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, who initially denied the assault, claiming only the journalist’s mobile phone was seized for recording an altercation without permission, and later suggested that the alleged assailants were not fire service personnel.
WAES believes that naming the interdicted officers and clearly stating their number would help resolve these inconsistencies and restore public confidence in the investigative process.
The Society further noted that the journalist reported being assaulted by more than ten officers, making it imperative for authorities to clearly state how many officers have been interdicted in connection with the incident.
“The West Africa Editors Society maintains that impunity thrives in secrecy, and that handling this matter with openness will strengthen accountability in governance and contribute significantly to safeguarding the safety and freedom of journalists in Ghana,” the statement concluded.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah