Celebrated Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama has announced plans to take legal action against members of the Black Maria—the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team—following an alleged assault in Tamale. Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and CEO of Red Clay, said the incident left him seriously injured and forced him to cancel several international commitments.
Speaking at a press conference, Mahama said the encounter occurred while he was returning from the mosque on Saturday morning. He described the assault as severe, with injuries including bruised lips, broken teeth, and sores in his mouth.
“That evening, I was scheduled to travel to the UK to deliver lectures at schools from Cambridge to Oxford, then to the Royal College in London, followed by engagements in Helsinki, Amsterdam, and South Africa,” he said. “But all those trips had to be cancelled. I haven’t even been able to eat solid food for several days. This incident has put my entire life on hold.”
Mahama expressed concern over the conduct of the Black Maria unit, noting previous reports of abuse. “We’ve heard many stories about this unit and its brutalities,” he said. “They even suggested we could be killed and nothing would happen.”
He warned that unchecked actions like these could discourage young people from contributing to national development. “If such brutalities continue, many young people may feel they have no reason to stay or invest in this country. That’s a serious threat to justice and progress,” he said.
Mahama confirmed that legal action is being considered, emphasizing that it is necessary not only for himself but for the wider public. “This is not just about me,” he said. “If it could happen to someone well-known like me, what about ordinary citizens? Who will speak for them? Legal action is essential for the collective society we live in.”
The Black Maria unit has denied the allegations, stating the incident occurred during a traffic enforcement operation involving a driver who refused to comply. The unit released a video showing a man identified as Mahama’s uncle pleading with officers. Mahama dismissed the footage, claiming it had been manipulated to “garner public sympathy.”