There was growing tension between Nanton in Dagbon and Kekpande in Gonja over a boundary dispute, with both sides accusing each other of destroying signposts and disrupting development projects in the contested area.
A high-level delegation from both traditional councils quickly intervened on 8th January, 2026 to avert a potential clash. The Dagbon delegation included Zangbalung Naa, Bonaa, and Sagnari Naa while the Gonja side had Kekpandewura, Tandawura and Yapeiwura.
The chiefs, joined by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tamale and District Chief Executive (DCE) for North East Gonja, and the Northern Regional Security Coordinator, visited the flashpoints at Cheko and Nyamalga and later Kekpande.
At Cheko the meeting with the local chief and community was calm. The delegation relayed a strong message of peace and unity from the King and Overlord of Dagbon Ya Naa and the Kimg and Overlord of Gonja agbonwura, highlighting the recent establishment of a Joint Council between Dagbon and Gonja to address such disputes.
In Nyamalga, however, tensions were high. Some youth brandished shotguns, matchetes and clubs and interrupted proceedings, though others were receptive to the peace message.
The delegation appealed for an immediate halt to all activities in the disputed areas including construction and sand winning until boundary issues are resolved.
To prevent further escalation, the Chiefs and security heads recommended military and police patrols in the area by Friday 9th January, 2025.
The Chiefs commended the efforts of the MCE, DCE, and the Northern Regional Security Coordinator for their proactive response. Their timely intervention prevented a potential violent confrontation.
Gonjas have laid claim to Cheko Community which they said is under the Kakpande Traditional Area of Gonjaland.
In a press release by the ‘NKperibeto Youth’ on the current land dispute and boundary issues between Kakpande and Nanton Traditional Areas at Cheko dated 3rd January, 2026, they stated that; “the current Cheko Community is a village under the Kakpande Traditional Area in the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region”
The NKperibeto Youth also said; “It was formerly located in the Eastern part of the Jerigu under the Nanton Traditional Area in Dagbon and Nanton still.own tje land and the people at their original place (former settlement) before they moved to the current location in 1990 under Gonjaland”.
They further disclosed that; “In 1988, there was a flood, popularly called ‘waterworks disasters’ in Tamale and its surrounding communities and it threatened the life of the Cheko Community and they decided to come to then Jerigu Chief, Naa Yakubu to seek refuge at the current place and he told them that he shares boundaries with Nyamalga and does not own that part and it is for Gonjas and therefore should go to Nyamalga and that was Cheko Naa Chimi’s time”.
According to the NKperibeto Youth “they then went to Nyamalgawura Dari Alhassan who happens to be their in- law with four hundred cedis and some colanut on the 6th of November, 1989 led by late Mba Yakubu who later became Cheko Naa Yakubu ane Nyamalgawura Alhassan Dari Kakuma said the final approval will be given after consulting his Elders”.
The NKperibeto Youth added that; It was still in the process, and they started putting up a a palace and other structures in January 1990 and were told that their taxes would now be paid to then East Gonja District, Salaga, and for that matter, the development of the community since they are now in Gonjaland”.
The NKperibeto Youth stated; “We therefore state without apology and without reservation, that Cheko at its current location belongs to Kakpande Traditional Area, for that matter Gonja Kingdom and they can only be under the Nanton Traditional Area if they move back to their previous location”.
There is a strong step towards sustained peace, cooperation, and dialogue between Dagbon and Gonja kingdoms.
In a historic move to deepen peace and cooperation, the King and Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), and his counterpart, the King and Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II, in December 2025, jointly established a 20-member Joint Standing Customary Committee.
The committee, comprising 10 eminent Chiefs from each Kingdom, is tasked with finding lasting solutions to traditional land boundary disputes between Dagbon and Gonja.
The Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe, inaugurated the committee at a ceremony held at Pioneer Lodge in Tamale. The committee is jointly chaired by Kpembewura Bambange Ndefeso IV, Paramount Chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area (Gonja), and Nanton-Naa M.B. Bawa, Paramount Chief of Nanton (Dagbon).
The formation of the Dagbon-Gonja Joint Standing Committee comes in response to several boundary disputes in areas where the two traditional lands meet.
The committee represents a high-level traditional collaborative mechanism aimed at resolving these disputes through customary processes, dialogue, and mutual respect, rather than confrontation.
The broader objective of the initiative is to preserve peace, promote development, and strengthen the deep-rooted historical bonds between the two ancient and powerful kingdoms.
In his inaugural address, Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu described the formation of the committee as unprecedented in the history of Northern Ghana. He praised the wisdom and foresight of the two Kings, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I and Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama (II) adding that their actions would benefit not only their kingdoms but the entire nation and future generations.
“To have the two kings not only visit each other but also select the crème de la crème of traditional authorities from Dagbon and Gonjaland to sit together and resolve age-long boundary issues without resorting to the courts or violence is truly visionary,” the Minister noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Yagbonwura, Kpembewura Ndefuso Banbange, Paramount Chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area of Gonjaland, emphasized the importance of collaboration, mutual understanding, and open dialogue in addressing all outstanding issues between the Dagbon and Gonja kingdoms.
In a speech read on behalf of the Yaa-Naa by Zugulana Prof., the King of Dagbon described the formation of the committee as the dawn of “a new era of friendship, cooperation, and shared destiny”. He lauded the recent exchange of royal visits between himself and the Yagbonwura, saying it laid a strong foundation for renewed ties between their peoples.
“For centuries, Dagbon and Gonja have lived side by side, bound by culture, trade, and intermarriage,” the Yaa-Naa said and added that “We are essentially one family, and it is this spirit that must guide our deliberations.”
He acknowledged that while boundary issues have caused tensions in the past, the path forward must be one of mutual respect, dialogue, and peace. He urged the committee to turn “lines of division into bridges of cooperation” and explore opportunities for joint development in agriculture, trade, education, and cultural exchange.
Source: nkilgifm.com
