Ghana: Police Investigate Alleged Assault on Artist Ibrahim Mahama.

Police Investigate Alleged Assault on Artist Ibrahim Mahama.

The Ghana Police Service has initiated a thorough investigation into the alleged assault of internationally renowned visual artist Ibrahim Mahama in Tamale. This directive was issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh-Yohuno, as per a statement released on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Dual Investigations by Police Bodies.

The Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), the internal department responsible for examining police misconduct, is set to conduct a parallel inquiry alongside the Northern Regional Police Command, which is managing a separate criminal investigation. Both investigations aim to uncover the truth of the matter, and the results will be made publicly available.

Official Statements and Clarifications.

Confirming the incident, the Northern Regional Police Command has commenced inquiries. In a statement signed by Public Relations Officer, C/Inspr Luckman Niendow Alhassan, the Command refuted claims that the Special Operations Team, known as the “Black Maria,” was involved in the alleged assault. It was noted that this unit had been withdrawn from the Northern Region by the IGP on March 5, 2026, rendering any involvement impossible. The Command labeled such allegations as false.

About Ibrahim Mahama.

Ibrahim Mahama, the founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Voli-ni in Tamale, is celebrated as one of Ghana’s leading contemporary artists. His works have been showcased at prestigious international venues, including the Venice Biennale, Documenta 14, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The current incident follows a recent fire outbreak at Red Clay Studio in February, which resulted in the destruction of one of his heritage trains.

Ongoing Investigations.

As of the time of reporting, the exact details surrounding the alleged assault remain unconfirmed by the police. Both the PPSB and the Northern Regional Police Command are dedicated to providing further updates as their investigations progress. The artistic community and the public await these findings with keen interest.