Oscar Provencal, a Ghanaian actor, has urged objectivity and moderation as the investigation into the alleged attack on well-known artist Ibrahim Mahama gets underway.
Provencal called the event “rather unfortunate” when speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, emphasising that no one should experience violence under any circumstances.
He stated, “We don’t know the full story, but that doesn’t justify an assault on anyone, especially if it’s from the police.”
While acknowledging that law enforcement officials have the right to use force when making an arrest, he cautioned that any such action must be restrained and not excessive.
“The police have the right to use force, but not excessive force,” Provencal clarified, pointing out that responsible and competent behaviour by authorities is essential to maintaining public trust.
The actor cautioned Ghanaians against drawing hasty judgements from unfinished reports or conjecture on social media. He emphasised that even though the alleged assault has garnered national attention, it is crucial to give the Inspector-General of Police’s ongoing investigation time to complete.
“Once it’s under investigation, there’s very little one can say at this juncture. We should be careful about what we assume and share online,” Provencal continued.
Provencal also addressed worries that the occurrence would be misconstrued due to President John Dramani Mahama’s common surname, “Mahama.” He advised against making inferences without proof.
He cautioned, stressing the significance of keeping a person apart from political affiliations, saying, “We wouldn’t want a situation where people target others just because of a name.”
Considering Ibrahim Mahama’s standing as a well-known artist, Provencal emphasised how shocking it might be for the public when famous people are embroiled in disputes.
He cited Mahama’s widespread fame while pointing out that his creative endeavours, which can occasionally be misinterpreted, frequently entail art installations and even aircraft as artistic expressions.
“When you hear that Mr. Ibrahim Mahama uses airplanes in his art or has high-profile projects, it can spark curiosity or concern but we cannot let assumptions guide reactions,” he explained.
In closing, Provencal urged Ghanaians to maintain composure, abstain from personal assaults, and let the probe ascertain the truth.
“It’s about what we get out of the investigation not what we hear on social media,” he stated, adding that neither the nation nor anyone would gain by politicising the issue.
Since then, the Inspector-General of Police has mandated an impartial investigation into the incident to determine what happened and guarantee responsibility when needed.
Source: newsthemegh.com