The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has warned that any officer found guilty of assaulting a journalist at the Kasoa New Market fire scene faces the possibility of dismissal.

The caution follows reports that Samuel Addo of Class Media Group was allegedly manhandled by some GNFS personnel while covering a fire outbreak in the Central Region on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Head of Public Affairs, DOII Desmond Ackah, emphasised that the service does not condone attacks on journalists, civilians, or fellow emergency personnel.

“The highest form of punishment that can be meted out is dismissal. So, if after the investigation it comes out that these officers deserve to be dismissed, why not? We will do that, and we will let the public know,” he stated.

DOII Ackah further assured that the GNFS would cooperate fully with the police to determine the facts of the case, noting that no officer would be protected if found to have acted unlawfully.

He also cautioned that if the journalist’s claims are deemed false or intended to damage the service’s reputation, the GNFS will respond firmly.

“If it also turns out that he is throwing this into the public eye to cause disaffection for the GNFS, we will come at him with all the force that we have,” he said.

The GNFS official also condemned the alleged assault of another individual at the scene, reportedly a suspected thief, reiterating that the service does not support violence.

“Suspects should be restrained and handed over to the police,” DOII Ackah noted, underscoring the importance of lawful conduct by all personnel during operations.