A viral video showing personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) allegedly assaulting two individuals at the Kasoa New Market fire scene has sparked widespread attention and claims that the victims were journalists. However, the GNFS has denied assaulting any journalists.
DOII Desmond Ackah, the GNFS National Public Relations Officer, clarified in an interview on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey that “the individuals in the video were bandits attempting to exploit the situation.” He explained that a journalist present at the scene, who was filming the incident, “had his phone seized and handed over to the police”—not due to assault, but following security protocols.
Ackah defended the actions of the fire service personnel, emphasizing that “fire outbreak scenes are considered security zones where strict measures are necessary.” He noted that “during firefighting, people wanted to take advantage of the situation to steal,” which led to an altercation and accusations against the firefighters.
Addressing the journalist’s involvement, he said, “Did the journalist also obtain permission? For a fire situation that could escalate and there could be an explosion, secondary injuries, and if you are hurt, who takes responsibility for that?” He stressed the importance of requesting access, stating, “If for nothing at all, you should ask permission from the duty officer who will now allow you access to be able to get whatever information.”
Ackah concluded by saying, “If there had been an explosion and then the journalist would have been affected, who were we going to blame then?” highlighting the need for safety and order at such emergency scenes.
