The Tamale High Court has ruled in favour of the Wasipe Traditional Area and Savana Plantation in a long-running land dispute with the Tolon Traditional Area over a 300-acre parcel near the White Volta River at Daboya in the Savannah Region.
Presided over by Justice Eric Ansah Ankomah on 4th Novembe, 2025, the court declared the Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Area of Gonja who doubles as the President of the Wasipe Traditional Council Wasipewura Anyame Kabasagya (II)and Savannah Plantation as the rightful owners of the contested land. The defendants, including the Tolon-Naa and five others, were ordered to pay GH¢30,000 in damages for trespassing and an additional GH¢20,000 in costs.
Justice Ankomah observed that evidence presented in court, including cross-examinations and findings from a joint site inspection, revealed inconsistencies in the defendants’ claims. The full judgment is expected to be released to the parties in due course.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, Ian Akantoe Adagwine described the ruling as a significant victory for the justice system, noting that it reaffirms the court’s impartiality and commitment to fairness. He cautioned against individuals taking the law into their own hands and advised prospective land buyers to engage qualified lawyers or technical experts when acquiring property to avoid disputes.
The Secretary to the Wasipewura, Jantonwura Peter Awusi Yakubu, welcomed the verdict, describing it as a relief for the Wasipe Traditional Area and the wider Gonja Kingdom. He stated that, following the ruling, the Wasipewura plans to enskin chiefs in the remaining villages to protect their lands for future generations.
He also urged other Chiefs across Gonja land to take proactive measures to safeguard their territories.
The dispute dates back to 2011, when the then regent, now Tolon-Naa Major (rtd) Sulemana claimed that the Tolon boundary extended to the White Volta near Daboya.
The matter escalated in 2018 after residents of Kpendua allegedly trespassed on land leased by the Wasipewura to Savana Plantation, prompting legal action. Both traditional authorities later became parties to the case, each asserting ownership rights over the land extending to the White Volta River.
After hearing all submissions, the court conducted a joint site inspection on June 19, 2025, which played a crucial role in the final judgment.
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The Judge held that lands comprising the dam near Kpendua as well as Gua, Kito which are 14 kilometres to the White Volta from Tolo all falls under the jurisdiction of Wasipe skin lands.
The Wasipe Traditional Council of Gonjaland which went to court to seek some reliefs including that all the land stretching 14 km more or less from the White Volta towards Tolon is under the jurisdiction of Wasipewura and that the jurisdiction of the Tolon Traditional Council ends 14 kilometres or less before the White Volta from Tolon.
Abother relief sought was a perpetual injunction on the 6th defendant (Tolon Naa) on any parcel of land kilometres after the White Volta towards Tolon and also cost and damages of GHc50,000.
Source: nkilgifm.com
