The Celebrated Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama has alleged that he was assaulted by police officers on Saturday morning while travelling through Tamale.
According to Mr Mahama, the incident occurred as he was returning from the mosque describing the encounter as a “brutal assault” and calling for prayers.
The incident began when police officers reportedly forced their way through heavy traffic, causing a gridlock situation. The officers allegedly demanded that the bus in which Mr Mahama was travelling be parked, leading to further exchanges with passengers who questioned their conduct. He said the officers then turned on him, physically assaulting him and confiscating his phone.
Mahama, who had recorded the scene, further alleged that the footage was deleted from his device.
Mr Ibrahim Mahama is the founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and CEO of Red Clay,
Eyewitness descriptions and images circulating online show Mahama with visible injuries, including blood-stained clothing, a cut lip, and a reportedly broken tooth, as he made his way to seek medical attention.
There has been no official response from the Police yet.
Mahama is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most prominent contemporary artists, with international exhibitions and a strong presence in cultural development initiatives in northern Ghana.
