Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has filed a defamation lawsuit against Bright Simons, Vice President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, seeking GH¢10 million in damages.
The suit stems from what Mahama describes as “false and malicious” statements published by Simons, which he claims have harmed his reputation and that of his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P).
According to court filings submitted to the Accra High Court on May 28, Mahama and E&P allege that Simons published defamatory content in an article titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine,” posted on April 19, 2025, on his personal website, brightsimons.com.
The same day, Simons shared the article on his official X account (@BBSimons), where it quickly went viral. By May 8, the post had garnered more than 93,000 views, 250 reactions, 98 reposts, 26 comments, and 109 bookmarks—numbers the plaintiffs argue contributed to the broad dissemination of the allegedly defamatory material.
The article reportedly claimed that E&P was facing financial troubles due to the suspension of operations at the Damang gold mine, and that its creditors were “up in arms.”
It also suggested that Ibrahim Mahama—brother of former President John Mahama—was improperly benefiting from political connections and receiving undue government support for his business ventures.
Mahama and E&P deny these claims entirely, stating that the allegations are “wholly false and without factual basis.” They contend the article portrays the company as financially unstable, damaging its credibility with current and prospective business partners.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are requesting the following:
- A declaration that Simons’ statements are defamatory;
- A public apology and retraction published on the same digital platforms, and as a full-page advertisement in Daily Graphic for six consecutive editions over three months;
- A perpetual injunction preventing Simons from making further defamatory statements;
- General damages of GH¢10 million;
- Legal costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
