Ibrahim Mahama: Millionaire Artist Hospitalised After Alleged Police Attack
- Ibrahim Mahama, a prominent Ghanaian artist, claimed he was assaulted by the police's special operations team
- The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf Mboridiba, condemned the attack and promised accountability for those involved
- Meanwhile, the Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the alleged assault on Ibrahim Mahama
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Ibrahim Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Voli-ni in Tamale, has allegedly been assaulted by personnel from the Ghana Police Service.
The renowned Ghanaian artist, Ibrahim Mahama, was reportedly attacked by the IGP's special operations team, also known as Black Mariahospitalised, in Tamale, Northern Region.
Source: Twitter
Ibrahim Mahama told 3news.com that the act by the Black Maria team was an abuse of his rights.
“They broke into our bus, forced me to open my phone and deleted the pictures. From the beginning to the end, everything was an assault,” he alleged.
The celebrated artist was hospitalised due to the injuries from the attack.
Reacting to the alleged assault, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf Mboridiba, said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) will not allow such acts of lawlessness.
“We cannot tolerate this kind of lawlessness in the region, and anyone found culpable will be dealt with,” he said.
The Regional Minister also noted the Police command has no record of any Black Maria team operating in the region.
“The Police command is not aware of any Black Maria team in the region, and this extent of lawlessness will not be tolerated. Ibrahim Mahama is a diplomat, and an attack on him won’t be tolerated,” the Regional Minister indicated.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service in the Northern Region has commenced investigations into the matter.
Netizens condemn attack on Ibrahim Mahama
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the news shared by @olelesalvador on X. Read them below:
@kofi_1982 said:
"Ghana isn’t safe anymore."
@MrDodoojnr wrote:
“A prophet is not respected in his own home. Ibrahim Mahama, with his portfolio, qualifies to be of national interest to any Western country, but out of love for his country, he is bringing the world to Ghana. Watch the payback. @GhPoliceService, follow this later!"
@ZakiaKunge said:
"But I saw the 'Black Maria' van in Cantonments on Thursday afternoon. So who exactly perpetuated this heinous act?"
@Bra_Carbon wrote:
"These guys have done worse in Tamale, which has gone unreported, from sporadic shootings, assault and extrajudicial killings, all in the name of fighting illegality. How do you fight illegality by killing the customer?"
@HR_Socialite said:
"@MrMahama_ENP, if this is you, pls reach out to your namesake. No explanation can calm our minds. There is no way Ibrahim should be assaulted like this. He is a national treasure. The president must see this. @JDMahama."
@Ghanabeans wrote:
"The black Maria has been out of the Northern region for 2 weeks. They are met and welcomed at the Ghana Police headquarters. So who exactly assaulted him?"
Ibrahim Mahama makes history on ArtReview’s Power list
Mahama recently made history as the first African to claim the number one spot on ArtReview’s Power 100 list.
His work has shaped artistic innovation, cultural discourse, and institutional development over the past year.
At 38, Mahama has achieved an unprecedented leap from 14th place in 2024 to the top of the list in 2025, placing Ghana at the forefront of global conversations on contemporary art.
Mahama has been celebrated for his installations crafted from repurposed jute sacks and industrial materials.
Source: YEN.com.gh
