Strip DOII Desmond Ackah as PRO – Ghana National Fire Service told

Accra-based human rights lawyer Samson Lardy Anyenini has criticised the management of the Ghana National Fire Service for what he described as poor judgment in retaining DO II Desmond Ackah as the Service’s Head of Public Relations.

Mr. Anyenini said Mr. Ackah is unfit to occupy the position of Public Relations Officer of a security institution, arguing that his comments following the alleged assault of a Class Media Group journalist show a lack of understanding of media freedom and public communication.

He called on GNFS management to immediately withdraw Mr. Ackah from public engagements and subject him to disciplinary action, including interdiction, pending investigations into his statements after the Kasoa incident involving the alleged assault of journalist Samuel Addo.

According to Mr. Anyenini, it was inappropriate and disturbing for the GNFS PRO to suggest that the journalist was assaulted because he did not have permission to film the incident.

“For a Head of Public Relations to suggest that a journalist needs permission to film a public event involving public officers is ignorance of the highest order,” he said.

“There is no law in Ghana that requires a journalist to seek permission before recording a public incident.”

Mr. Anyenini further stated that the comments attributed to Mr. Ackah amount to an attempt to justify an unlawful assault and weaken press freedom.

He said GNFS management should not appear to be protecting unprofessional conduct within the Service.

He described Mr. Ackah’s handling of the matter as a disgrace to the Ghana National Fire Service and called for him to undergo refresher training in public relations and media engagement.

Mr. Anyenini made the comments while reacting to statements issued by the GNFS Public Relations Officer on Accra-based Joy FM following the Kasoa incident.

He added that the PRO’s explanations should not be entertained, especially considering video footage circulating publicly that allegedly shows the journalist being assaulted by fire service personnel during efforts to put out a fire at the Kasoa New Market…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>