The Ghana National Service (GNFS) has clarified that the individual filmed during a physical altercation with fire officers at the Kasoa New Market fire on 4 January 2026 was not a journalist, as previously reported, but a civilian suspected of theft.
Despite this clarification regarding the individual’s identity, the GNFS confirmed that the officers involved in the incident have faced internal disciplinary action.
A major fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market on Sunday, 4 January, necessitated an emergency response from both the Kasoa and Weija Fire Stations.
While personnel worked to contain the blaze, reports surfaced alleging that a journalist from Class Media had been assaulted by firefighters.
These reports suggested the reporter was attacked while filming a confrontation between officers and local traders.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s programme Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Alex King Nartey of the GNFS Public Relations Department expressed disappointment over the initial media coverage.
He explained that after a thorough investigation, the GNFS determined the person involved was a civilian who had allegedly attempted to steal from the scene under the guise of offering assistance.
He noted that such individuals often create volatile environments, leading to confrontations that the public may misinterpret as unprovoked assaults.
During the interview, Nartey addressed the widely circulated footage of the altercation, stating that the media outlets that reported the individual was a journalist were unfair to the service.
He clarified the situation by saying that it is important to provide this context because the person in the video was a civilian caught stealing by their men.
He remarked that when officers defend themselves against attacks or theft during fire containment, it is often framed as an assault.
Nevertheless, he confirmed that the Chief Fire Officer assured the President that the officers seen in the video were identified and have since been dealt with through internal disciplinary measures.
”Let me clarify that video. It is important that you have asked this question, and I will use this opportunity to provide clarity. The media outlets that reported and circulated that video were not fair to us. In the video where our officers were seen assaulting an individual, that person was not a journalist. He was a civilian who had come to the scene to steal and was confronted by our men.
The challenge is that when we go out to contain fires, we sometimes encounter people who either assault our men or arrive with the intent to steal. On that particular day, that individual was caught stealing. Usually, when our men are attacked and they defend themselves, it is framed as an assault. That individual was not a journalist; regardless, our Chief Fire Officer gave the President his assurance that the officers seen in the video were identified, and we have taken internal disciplinary action against them.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
