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Prominent Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and Red Clay Studio in Tamale, has shared his distress following what he describes as a violent altercation with a police team in Tamale on Saturday, March 21. Fighting back tears during a press conference, Mahama recounted the traumatic events that unfolded after what started as a routine family outing to pray at the Ambariyah Mosque.
Mahama explained that after the prayers, heavy traffic forced them to take a detour through a narrow back road near Mariam Hotel. At a gridlocked T-junction, movement became nearly impossible when a police vehicle, commonly known as a “Black Maria,” arrived to clear the road. Tensions escalated when officers began shouting at drivers and banging on vehicles, including the one his uncle was driving.
“They kept hitting the car very hard,” Mahama recalled. “They were shouting and insulting.” He alleged that when the officers reached through the vehicle window, they physically assaulted his uncle. When Mahama attempted to record the incident on his phone, the officers turned their aggression towards him, questioning his filming.
The incident left Mahama with injuries, including bruises on his lips and mouth, and three broken teeth, making it difficult for him to eat solid food for days. Mahama shared that the assault led to the cancellation of his upcoming lecture tours to prestigious institutions, including Cambridge, Oxford, Helsinki, Amsterdam, and South Africa.
Beyond his personal pain, Mahama expressed concern about a larger societal issue. “If this could happen to me, as known as I am, then what about the people on the streets?” he questioned. “If someone is beaten during an operation and dies from internal injuries, who speaks for them?”
Mahama and his family are now considering legal action, not only for accountability but also for the wider benefit of society. As an influential figure who has helped put Tamale on the global contemporary art map, Mahama emphasized his commitment to building and staying in Ghana, despite the challenges.
“If actions like this cause young people to feel they cannot stay and contribute to this country, then it becomes a loss for all of us,” he added.
Story:Efua Nessa
Source:Loco tv