Name interdicted Ghana fire officers in assault of journalist case – WAES demands

The West Africa Editors Society (WAES) is calling on the Ghanaian authorities to name the Ghana National Service officers in the case of assault of a journalist who have been reportedly interdicted.

In a statement issued today January 10, 2026, the regional body of editors affiliated to The African Editors Forum, the continental body representing editors in Africa welcomed news reports citing the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama saying the Ghana National Fire Service officers involved in the assault of the journalist, Samuel Addo of Class Media Group have been interdicted.

According to WAES, content of a video circulated on social media showed a group of Ghana National Fire Service officers assaulting the journalist at the scene of a fire outbreak at the Kasoa new market in the Central Region on Monday January 5, 2026.

“While it is heartwarming to hear that the said officers involved in that act have been interdicted, the information is insufficient and does not meet the standards of transparency as required in a democratic system of governance and accountability,” the group said.

According to WAES, in the spirit of transparency and for accountability, it would like to know who these officers are, and how many of them have been interdicted.

The group argued that for the fact that the PRO of the Ghana National Fire Service had said in one breath that the journalist wasn’t assaulted, and that only his mobile phone was seized because he was recording an altercation involving fire officers and a civilian without permission, and in another breath had said that the alleged assailants were not members of the Fire Service, naming the interdicted officers would serve the purposes of transparency and accountability.

The public has the right to know who these officers are, the statement said.

WAES added that considering the fact that the journalist reported that he was assaulted by more than 10 officers, it is only fair to state how many officers have been interdicted.

“It is the considered view of the West Africa Editors Society that impunity thrives and grows in darkness, and handling this important matter openly will enhance accountability in governance in Ghana, to further ensure the safety of journalists,” it said.

By Peter Mensah