Ibrahim Mahama Sues Bright Simons for GH¢10 Million Over Defamation Claims in Gold Mine Commentary

Ibrahim Mahama, through his company Engineers & Planners (E&P), has filed a defamation suit against Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, seeking GH¢10 million in damages. The legal action stems from an article authored by Simons that the plaintiffs allege contains defamatory statements.

The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra, follows the publication of an article titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, posted on Simons’ personal website on April 19, 2025. The article critiques Ghana’s management of the Damang gold mine and includes comments that E&P, described as “a powerful operator owned by the brother of Ghana’s President,” suffered financially after Gold Fields temporarily shut down operations.

Simons further questioned E&P’s relationship with the Minerals Commission, raising concerns about alleged political interference and conflicts of interest.

Ibrahim Mahama and his company are asking the court to declare the statements defamatory and are seeking the following reliefs:

A public retraction and unqualified apology, to be published on the original platforms and as a full-page notice in the Daily Graphic for six consecutive editions over three months.

A perpetual injunction preventing Simons and his affiliates from making similar publications in the future, GH¢10 million in general damages for defamation, and payment of legal costs and any other reliefs deemed appropriate by the court.

Court documents indicate that Simons has been ordered to file his defence within eight days of service. The notice, issued by Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie on May 28, 2025, warns that failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe could result in judgment being passed in his absence.

“AN ACTION having been commenced against you by the issue of this Writ… YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED that within EIGHT DAYS after service of this Writ on you… you do cause an appearance to be entered for you,” the document states.

“AND TAKE NOTICE that in default… judgment may be given in your absence without further notice to you.” Added in the documents.

The case brings to the fore heightened tensions between civil society voices and influential business entities in Ghana’s extractive sector. It also underscores growing scrutiny around issues of governance, transparency, and influence in the mining industry.

Neither party has issued a public comment beyond court filings as of press time.

Read More