The Executive Director of the Right Accountability Network Africa, Kevin Gyimah, has called on the government to assign an independent body to investigate the alleged assault on businessman Ibrahim Mahama, arguing that the police should not be tasked with probing their own conduct.
His remarks follow reports that the Inspector-General of Police and the Northern Regional Police Commander met with Mr. Mahama over the incident, which has sparked widespread debate about accountability within Ghana’s security services.
Mr. Gyimah maintained that it is a well-established legal principle that institutions should not investigate themselves, stressing that an independent inquiry would inspire greater public confidence.
He proposed the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice as the most appropriate body to handle the matter, citing its constitutional mandate as Ghana’s ombudsman.
The controversy stems from a video circulating online in which Mr. Mahama alleged that police officers assaulted him following a misunderstanding near the Achimota Forest enclave. In response, the Police Administration indicated it had initiated an internal investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
However, Mr. Gyimah expressed concerns about the credibility of internal probes, arguing that such processes often fail to gain public trust. He described the incident as part of a broader, longstanding issue within the country’s security apparatus.
“This case is not significant merely because a prominent individual is involved,” he said. “It has brought renewed attention to a problem that has persisted for decades.”
He pointed to several recent incidents involving alleged misconduct by security personnel, including cases of assault captured on video and reports of journalists being manhandled, developments that have drawn formal complaints from the Ghana Journalists Association.
Mr. Gyimah further cited an alleged remark attributed to one of the officers involved in the incident, suggesting that no consequences would follow even in extreme circumstances. While acknowledging that the claim remains unverified, he said it underscores the need for structural reforms and independent oversight mechanisms.
He also referenced international best practices, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom rely on independent bodies to investigate police misconduct, a model he believes Ghana could adopt to strengthen accountability and public trust.
