Journalist Samuel Addo of Class Media in Ghana has filed a formal complaint with the police after alleging that officers of the Ghana National Fire Service assaulted him and made away with cash while he was on duty in Kasoa.
The incident, according to Addo, happened last week as he covered a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market. After completing a live report for a morning programme, he proceeded to the nearby fire station to obtain an official account from the GNFS.
Speaking to Accra-based Citi News, Addo said his visit to the station took an unexpected turn when he observed fire service personnel allegedly attacking civilians within the premises. He decided to document what he was witnessing.
“I decided to capture the scene,” Addo recounted. “As I was filming, a young fire service personnel approached me. I introduced myself as a media person, and he walked away.”
He said the confrontation intensified shortly afterward. “About 10 of them, including the same officer, came toward me. They held my neck, pulled my hands behind my back, and assaulted me,” he stated. “They took my phone, tore my belt, and took both away.”
Although his mobile phone was later retrieved following the intervention of the area’s Member of Parliament, Phyllis Naa Koryor, Addo said he later realised a large sum of money had gone missing. “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.”
Addo confirmed that the police have issued him with a medical report form and that he is seeking treatment at a hospital. He noted, however, that the missing cash has not been recovered. “The money is still missing. I have reported everything to the police,” Samuel Addo further stated.
