Ghanaian artist and entrepreneur Ibrahim Mahama has announced plans to pursue legal action against members of the Black Maria, the Inspector-General of Police's Special Operations Team, following an incident he describes as a “serious assault.”

Speaking at a press conference in Tamale, Mr. Mahama revealed that the encounter left him with severe injuries and forced him to cancel multiple international commitments. He insisted that those responsible must be held accountable.

“That evening, I was meant to travel to the UK because I had to go and give some lectures in some schools from Cambridge to Oxford to the Royal College in London, and also continue to Helsinki for work and then to Amsterdam and then to South Africa before coming home,” he said.

“But all those trips have to be cancelled, and I don't think I can even travel for the next month because the last few days I have not even eaten solid food because my lips are all bruised, and three of my teeth are broken, I have sores in my mouth.”

The incident, according to Mr. Mahama, has brought his life to a standstill. “Currently, it has put my entire life on hold,” he said.

He also criticized the alleged conduct of the Black Maria unit, suggesting that similar incidents had occurred before. “Of course, we've heard many stories about the same unit and the brutalities,” he said. “That’s why they could say that we could kill you and nothing will happen.”

Mr Mahama warned that such actions could discourage young people from contributing positively to society. “If at the end of the day, through these brutal actions, a lot of us young people will not feel like we need to stay in a place like this, then it’s rather on the bad side of justice,” he said.

Legal action, he confirmed, is under consideration. “Certainly, we are considering legal action. It’s very important. It’s a no-brainer. We have to do it,” he said.

“It’s not for me, but it’s actually for everyone else because if this could happen to me, as well-known as I am, then what about the people on the street? Who’s going to speak for that person? So, we have to do it for the benefit of the collective society that we’re in,” he added.

The Black Maria unit has rejected the allegations, stating that the incident occurred during a traffic enforcement operation involving a driver who refused to comply. The unit also released a video showing a man identified as Mr Mahama’s uncle pleading with officers.

Mr Mahama, however, dismissed the footage as manipulated, claiming it was meant to “garner public sympathy.”

The artist, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and CEO of Red Clay, said the incident happened while he was returning from the mosque.