FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by the Ghana Culture Forum on Recent Incident Involving Ibrahim Mahama
23"d March 2026.
The Ghana Culture Forum (GCF) has taken note of the widely circulated reports and public concerns regarding the recent incident involving renowned Ghanaian artist, Ibrahim Mahama, as well as the subsequent statement issued by the Ghana Police Service.
As a leading civil society platform within Ghana's creative arts ecosystem, the GCF is guided by principles of human dignity, justice, and respect for the rule of law. We recognise the critical role of the Police Service in maintaining public safety and order, as well as the importance of public trust and cooperation in enabling them to fulfil this mandate effectively.
However, we wish to state, in the strongest but measured terms, that any allegations of excessive use of force or misconduct must be treated with utmost seriousness. The relationship between the police and the public must be grounded in mutual respect, restraint, and accountability. The use of brutality, under any circumstances, undermines public confidence and is inconsistent with democratic principles.
We are deeply concerned by reports suggesting that force may have been applied against an unarmed civilian. This raises important questions about proportionality, judgement, and adherence to professional standards in law enforcement conduct.
In light of this, the Ghana Culture Forum respectfully calls for:
• A full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident
• The identification and appropriate sanctioning of any officers found to have acted unlawfully
• Assurance that due process is followed in line with Ghana's laws and international human rights standards
• Appropriate medical care and redress for the affected individual, where warranted
We further urge that this matter be handled with the seriousness it deserves, to prevent recurrence and to reinforce public confidence in state institutions. Incidents that are not thoroughly addressed risk setting troubling precedents.
The GCF stands in solidarity with all members of Ghana's creative community and reiterates its commitment to advocating for a safe, just, and enabling environment for artistic expression and cultural participation.
We trust that the appropriate authorities will act swiftly and decisively in the interest of justice and national cohesion.
Issued by the Ghana Culture Forum, signed
Chairperson
