Prominent businessman Ibrahim Mahama has taken legal action against Bright Simons, Vice President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, for allegedly publishing defamatory content that he says has harmed both his personal standing and the reputation of his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P).
The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on May 28, centers on an article authored by Simons and published on his personal website on April 19, 2025. Titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine,” the article criticizes aspects of Ghana’s mining policies and accuses E&P of being a politically connected beneficiary amid alleged financial troubles.
The article was further circulated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) through Simons’ official handle @BBSimons, gaining significant traction. By May 8, the post had been viewed over 93,000 times and attracted widespread online engagement.
In court filings, Mahama and his company argue that Simons’ claims—including suggestions that E&P is in financial distress and that Mahama improperly benefits from his political connections—are false, misleading, and damaging. They contend that the statements have eroded confidence among E&P’s current and prospective business partners.
The plaintiffs are seeking a judicial declaration of defamation, a public apology across digital platforms and in the Daily Graphic for six editions over three months, a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamatory publications, GHS10 million in general damages, and associated legal costs.
While the lawsuit marks a high-profile clash between a leading entrepreneur and a civil society voice, it also raises broader questions about freedom of expression, accountability, and the boundaries of public interest commentary in Ghana.
