Esteemed Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, known for his thought-provoking installations that explore the civil and material dynamics of Ghana, is contemplating legal action against his government. This decision follows an alleged assault by members of the police’s Special Operations Team, known as the ‘Black Maria,’ on March 21. The incident reportedly occurred in Tamale, a city in northern Ghana where Mahama established the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art and Red Clay Studio, after Eid al-Fitr prayers. Reports indicate that while police were attempting to manage traffic, Mahama and other motorists were assaulted, resulting in Mahama losing two teeth and requiring hospital treatment.
The Ghana Police Service has refuted claims that the Black Maria unit was involved, stating in a March 21 press release that their officers were not present in the area on the date in question, having been withdrawn on March 5. An investigation has been initiated to uncover the facts surrounding the incident. It remains unclear if Mahama was a specific target of the assault. Neither Mahama nor the police have responded to requests for comment from Hyperallergic.
On March 24, a joint statement from Mahama’s gallery, White Cube, and his Tamale-based arts organizations called for an “immediate, independent, and transparent investigation” into the matter. The statement urged for the disclosure of the identities of the officers involved and highlighted ongoing issues of police brutality in Ghana. “We use this incident and the attack on Mr. Mahama to draw attention to these unprofessional acts by personnel who are mandated to enforce the law,” the statement noted.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Mahama indicated his intention to pursue legal proceedings against the Black Maria officers. He expressed concern over the unit’s history of excessive force, particularly during their efforts to curb electoral disruptions, as reported by GhanaWeb. Mahama also accused the police leader, Bawah Abdul Jali, of attempting to strike him. Victims of the incident were allegedly forced to erase video evidence and later beaten at a police station.
Reflecting on the incident, Mahama emphasized the need for justice, questioning the repercussions for ordinary citizens if such actions went unchecked. Known for his participation in the 2019 Ghana Freedom pavilion, Mahama’s work often critiques the relationship between Ghana and European colonial influences. He remarked, “The reason why I brought Red Clay to Tamale was because I wanted to see some kind of cultural justice. Why can’t we redistribute culture to people ordinarily and all that?”
