A high-profile defamation suit has been filed at the High Court in Accra, pitting Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners Company Ltd., against Bright Simons, Vice President of think-tank IMANI Africa.

The suit stems from a recent article authored by Simons that allegedly accuses Mahama of political manipulation and unethical business practices regarding the operations of the Damang Gold Mine.

Filed on May 28, 2025, the lawsuit claims that Simons’ publication titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, which was published on his personal website and widely shared on social media, contained several defamatory assertions.

According to the writ, the plaintiffs contend that the article falsely links them to government interference in the renewal of mining leases and portrays Mahama as improperly benefiting from his family ties to the President.

The plaintiffs—Mahama and Engineers & Planners—are seeking GH¢10 million in general damages and a public retraction.

They also want Simons to publish a full-page admission of guilt in the Daily Graphic six times over three months.

In addition, they are asking for an unqualified apology to be issued across all platforms where the alleged defamatory content appeared.

According to court filings, Mahama and his company claim that Simons’ assertions were not only untrue but deliberately calculated to injure their standing among clients, financial institutions, and partners in the mining industry.

The suit stresses that Engineers & Planners has an unblemished record of over two decades, including major contracts such as its current role as a primary contractor at Abosso Goldfields’ Damang mine.

The plaintiffs argue that Simons' statements suggest:

They were behind the government's refusal to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease.

They manipulated the lease process to their benefit.

Ibrahim Mahama leveraged his relationship with President John Mahama to gain unfair commercial advantages.

The statements, described as “innuendos” and “malicious falsehoods,” are said to have caused considerable anxiety among investors, stakeholders, and potential partners, according to the writ.

The plaintiffs maintain that these remarks have led to reputational harm and diminished creditworthiness for Engineers & Planners.

Timeline and Social Media Reach

The article in question was published online on April 19, 2025, and subsequently shared by Simons via his X (formerly Twitter) account @BBSimons.

As of May 8, 2025, the post had garnered over 93,000 views, hundreds of interactions, and widespread circulation.

The plaintiffs emphasize the viral nature of the post as evidence of the significant damage caused by its contents.

Court documents note that the original article triggered broad public discourse and attracted reactions that, according to the plaintiffs, have worsened the harm to their reputations.

Engineers & Planners Profile

Founded in the 1990s, Engineers & Planners is described as a leading mining and construction services company operating in Ghana and across the West African region.

The company touts its achievements in executing complex infrastructure and mining projects, as well as its strong relationships with financial backers, regulators, and local communities.

The firm has been especially active at the Damang Gold Mine, where it is engaged in a major contract with Abosso Goldfields.

The lawsuit suggests that Simons’ article undermines not only the company’s business integrity but also its ongoing and future operations.

Defendant: A Known Voice in Policy Circles

Bright Simons, the defendant, is a respected public intellectual and policy analyst known for his commentary on economic governance, technology, and public accountability.

His organization, IMANI Africa, frequently weighs in on issues of national policy.