Lawyers for businessman, Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners (E&P), have formally demanded a retraction and apology from policy analyst and IMANI Africa Vice President, Bright Simons, over what they describe as defamatory claims made in a recent article on Ghana’s handling of the Damang gold mine
The article, titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, was published on Simons’ personal website on April 19, 2025.
It alleges, among other things, that E&P—described as “a powerful operator owned by the brother of Ghana’s President”—has been financially hit by Gold Fields’ temporary halt of active mining, and that its creditors are reportedly alarmed by the situation.
Simons also claimed that E&P’s alleged influence over policy at the Minerals Commission (MinComm) raises concerns about conflicts of interest and potential political interference in national mining decisions.
But in a letter signed by the Robert Smith Law Group and addressed directly to Simons, solicitors for Ibrahim Mahama and E&P dismissed the claims as “wholly false, malicious and defamatory.”
“Such unfounded publications, especially from a public commentator of your stature, have the tendency to injure the hard-earned reputation of E&P, negatively affect its business operations, and diminish its standing with existing and prospective business partners and financiers. ,” the letter stated.
The lawyers noted that E&P is a separate legal entity with independent management, guided strictly by commercial and operational principles, and not subject to political direction.
They further described as “unfounded” the article’s insinuations that their clients orchestrated the government’s refusal to renew Gold Fields’ lease at Damang or were involved in shaping policies to compel large-scale mines to use local contractors.
According to the legal team, the article’s suggestions that certain MinComm officials may be biased due to former affiliations with E&P or Gold Fields are also speculative and irresponsible.
The solicitors have given Simons a seven-day ultimatum to retract the publication and issue what they call an “unqualified apology.” Failing that, they say, legal action will be initiated without further notice.
Bright Simons is yet to publicly respond to the letter.
