Renowned artist and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama has stepped forward to set the record straight following a violent encounter with police over the weekend.
Addressing a press conference in Tamale today, the founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and Red Clay Studio provided a firsthand account of an incident he describes as a display of gross unprofessionalism.
The confrontation, which occurred on Saturday, March 21, involved DSP Jalil and the “Black Maria” special operations team.
During the briefing, Mahama categorically denied statements previously issued by DSP Jalil, which claimed the police team acted in self-defense against an aggressive mob.
Mahama clarified that the narrative of a “mob attack” was a fabrication intended to justify the team’s use of force.
”There was no mob,” Mahama stated firmly. “To suggest that we initiated an attack is not only false but a dangerous attempt to flip the script on what was actually an unprovoked assault by the authorities.”
The artist, whose Red Clay Studio has become a global cultural landmark in the North, did not mince words regarding the conduct of the IGP’s special operation unit.
Highlighting their “unprofessional” tactics, Mahama called for the immediate dismemberment of the Black Maria team.
He argued that the existence of such units, if left unchecked and unaccountable, poses a direct threat to the safety of citizens and the reputation of the Ghana Police Service.
However, Mahama confirmed he was personally assaulted by DSP Jalil and his team.
He challenged the police’s “Black Maria” team to provide proof of their claims, labeling their actions as a violation of civil rights.
He made a formal plea to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to dissolve the special operation team to prevent further misconduct.
The incident has sparked a heated debate regarding police conduct in the region, particularly involving high-profile figures who have invested heavily in the local community’s development.
As of this afternoon, the Police Administration has yet to respond to Mahama’s specific call for the unit’s dissolution.
By 1960news.com
