The Ghana Police Service has met renowned Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama over an assault on him by police officers in Tamale.
The meeting which was called by the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, sought to help the Service investigate the issue.
The Police , alongside members of the Police Management Board, as part of ongoing efforts to address the incident, which reportedly occurred on March 21, has assured the public of a thorough investigation into the claims.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Director-General of Public Affairs of the Police, DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the IGP was committed to handling the matter.
She noted that the IGP had personally engaged Mr. Mahama, listened to his acount and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
“Following the incident in Tamale on the 21st of March, the Inspector General of Police extended an invitation to Mr Ibrahim Mahama. Today he came with a delegation to meet with the IGP and members of the Police Management Board,” she said.
DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, addressing the Press
“The IGP listened to his side of the story, and he assured him that investigations will continue so we get to the bottom of this matter,” she added while noting that the Police Service had already initiated inquiries shortly after the incident came to the attention of the IGP.
“As soon as it came to the IGP’s attention, he directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau to commence an investigation, and we assured the public that both the criminal investigation and the professional conduct investigation would go on side by side,” she said.
She disclosed that significant progress had already been made at the regional level and officers have taken statements from Mr Mahama and his team, visited the scene of the alleged incident, and also checked on him at his residence.
Providing further updates, she said the IGP has now escalated the matter to ensure a more comprehensive probe.
“He has directed that the CID Headquarters to take over the investigation. He has also directed the Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau to expedite action,” she stated.
“Our assurance to Mr Ibrahim Mahama is that the police are willing to work with him throughout the investigation process so we get to the end of this,” she said, adding an assurance of a “thorough investigation”.
She also revealed that Mr Mahama acknowledged his past relationship with the Police Service during the meeting.
“He recounted to the police how much the police have been useful to him in his business… and that he has been a friend of the police,” she noted, describing the incident as unfortunate.
