IGP orders probe into alleged assault on artist Ibrahim Mahama

The Ghana Police Service has launched investigations into the alleged assault of internationally acclaimed visual artist Ibrahim Mahama in Tamale.

The directive was issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh-Yohuno, according to a statement released by the Police on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The statement said the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), the internal body responsible for probing misconduct involving police personnel, would undertake a parallel inquiry, while the Northern Regional Police Command is handling a separate criminal investigation.

The police added that the outcomes of both investigations would be made public.

Confirming the development, the Northern Regional Police Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, C/Inspr Luckman Niendow Alhassan, said inquiries into the incident had already commenced.

According to the Command, the unit had been withdrawn from the Northern Region by the IGP on March 5, 2026, and therefore could not have been involved.

The Command described such claims as false.

Mr Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay Studio and Nkrumah Voli-ni in Tamale, is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s leading contemporary artists, with works exhibited at major international platforms including the Venice Biennale, Documenta 14 and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

The incident comes months after a fire outbreak at Red Clay Studio in February, which destroyed one of his heritage trains following sparks from nearby repair works.

At the time of filing this report, the police had not confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.

The PPSB and the Northern Regional Police Command are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.