Renowned Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama says a recent assault in Tamale has left him struggling with speech difficulties and sleeplessness, forcing him to suspend work and cancel several international engagements.
The artist, who is also CEO of Red Clay Studio, was attacked alongside his uncle on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during a traffic altercation in Tamale. He believes the individuals involved were members of the Inspector General of Police’s Special Operations Team, popularly known as the Black Maria, although the unit’s leadership has denied any involvement.
Mahama lost a tooth in the incident and was treated and discharged from hospital, but says the broader physical and psychological impact remains severe.
“Well, the impact of the assault is that I was supposed to be flying to London tonight to give a couple of lectures from Cambridge to Oxford to the Royal Arts Institute in London… then to Helsinki… and also to Milan and Venice. But currently, I have to cancel all these trips because I cannot travel,” he told Citi News.
He added that ongoing health concerns, particularly dental instability, rib pain, and recurring headaches, have made it difficult to rest and function normally.
“I cannot really sleep at night because my ribs are really still heightened from the assault… I’ll be a bit incapacitated within the studio and just trying to recover my health, at least within the next couple of months,” he said.
Mahama warned that the incident could keep him away from active work for an extended period, disrupting both his studio practice and international commitments.
The artist is expected to address the media later on Monday, March 23, 2026, at a press conference, where he will provide further details on the incident.
