Fire Service PRO is unfit and should be dismissed – GJA President

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called for the immediate dismissal of the Head of Public Relations of the Ghana National Fire Service, describing him as unfit to remain in charge of the Service’s communication.

According to him, the conduct and handling of the recent assault case involving a journalist demonstrate a lack of professionalism and competence on the part of the Fire Service PRO, Divisional Officer II Desmond Ackah.

Speaking at a press conference on January 6, 2026, Albert Dwumfour condemned what he described as the brutal and unlawful assault on Samuel Addo, a journalist with Class Media Group, by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service.

“We also call for the immediate dismissal or removal of the PRO of the Ghana National Fire Service from the position because our interaction with him on the case shows that he is unfit to be in charge of communication,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfour accused the PRO of unprofessionalism and contradictory communication. 

“He has demonstrated unprofessionalism, he has demonstrated incompetence, he has contradicted himself so much that I don’t think I will urge the media to ever deal with him.”

The GJA President further demanded an unqualified public apology from the Ghana National Fire Service to the assaulted journalist and the entire media fraternity for what he described as the trauma and obstruction caused in the line of duty.

He also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officers involved, stressing any measures to shield them will be resisted strongly by the GJA.

According to Albert Dwumfour, the matter goes beyond administrative breaches and constitutes a criminal offence, making police action necessary.

Mr. Dwumfour noted that attacks on journalists by security personnel are becoming increasingly common and pose a serious threat to press freedom and democratic governance.

He described it as unacceptable for men in uniform to assault journalists, stressing that journalists must be protected to carry out their duties without fear or intimidation.

The alleged assault occurred on January 5, 2026, when Samuel Addo was covering a fire outbreak at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region.