A major controversy is unfolding in Tamale after internationally acclaimed Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama allegedly suffered an assault at the hands of security officers, triggering a high-level police investigation.
The Ghana Police Service in the Northern Region has confirmed it has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, even as conflicting accounts deepen public concern.
What Happened?
Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but the artist and founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), the Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Voli-ni, all in Tamale, reportedly told local media that armed officers broke into his vehicle in Tamale.
According to him, he was forced to unlock his phone, after which images were allegedly deleted.
He described the entire encounter as an assault.
Police Deny ‘Black Maria’ Involvement
Initial reports suggested the involvement of the Police Special Operations Team, popularly known as Black Maria.
But the Northern Regional Police Command has firmly dismissed those claims.
According to the Command, the unit had already been withdrawn from the region by the Inspector-General of Police on March 5, 2026, weeks before the alleged incident.
IGP Steps In
Amid growing public scrutiny, the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to launch a parallel investigation.
This will run alongside the ongoing criminal probe by the Northern Regional Command.
The Police have assured that the findings from both investigations will be made public.
Political Concern and Security Questions
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has also weighed in, raising serious concerns about the incident.
He insists the Police Command had no knowledge of any such operation in the region and has condemned what he describes as unacceptable lawlessness.
The Minister further emphasised the sensitivity of the case, noting that Ibrahim Mahama holds a diplomatic passport.
Rising Questions
The incident has sparked troubling questions:
- Who were the officers involved?
- Why was the artist targeted?
- And if not Black Maria, because they were no longer operating in the region, then which unit carried out the operation?
For many observers, the case goes beyond one individual, touching on issues of police accountability, abuse of power, and public trust.
As investigations begin, the spotlight is now firmly on the Ghana Police Service.
Because in a case involving a globally recognised artist, the answers must be as visible as the controversy.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
