By: Nana Osei Kwadwo

A growing land dispute in the Gomoa Fetteh enclave is drawing attention to the role of traditional leadership, with experts urging Nana Abor Atta II to align with an ongoing land regularisation exercise aimed at restoring legal certainty and investor confidence.

The situation, affecting Gomoa Tuansah and Gomoa Nkwantanan, stems from competing claims over more than 350 acres of land originally acquired over a decade ago from the Gomoa Fetteh Stool by a consortium of companies, including 1st Capital Plus Foundation in collaboration with Sedan Landbank Company Limited and several other entities.

According to land experts, although these acquisitions were “formal, documented, and duly registered at the Lands Commission,” the integrity of ownership has since been undermined by overlapping allocations, informal arrangements, and uncoordinated occupation.

They warn that the breakdown has created significant legal exposure for all parties involved.

“Under Ghanaian law, once land has been lawfully granted and registered, any subsequent dealings that result in conflicting interests raise substantial legal and statutory concerns,” the analysis noted, adding that such situations could attract “civil liability” and, in some cases, “regulatory and criminal scrutiny.”

Affected stakeholders face risks including trespass claims, loss of possession, invalidation of interests, and potential damages, particularly where multiple allocations of the same land can be established.

Despite the legal backing for enforcement actions, the landowning entities—led by 1st Capital Plus Foundation and Sedan Landbank—have opted for a structured regularisation exercise rather than immediate litigation or demolition.

The initiative, announced through public notices in national newspapers, invites all occupants to come forward for verification and documentation to align their interests with legally recognised titles.

Described as “deliberate, necessary, and solution-oriented,” the exercise aims to restore order, protect lawful ownership, and preserve existing investments where possible.

“The objective is simple: to restore order, protect lawful title, preserve investments where possible, and prevent avoidable legal and financial loss,” the report stated.

However, the warning is clear for those who fail to comply.

Experts caution that refusal to regularise could result in “demolition of unauthorised structures, ejection from the land, claims for damages and mesne profits, and loss of all investments made without lawful title.”

They stress that the exercise is not a waiver of rights but a risk mitigation strategy to address a complex and potentially volatile land dispute.

The development has placed increasing focus on the role of traditional authorities, particularly Nana Abor Atta II, with observers noting that alignment between customary leadership and formal legal processes will be critical to resolving the impasse.

Beyond Gomoa, analysts say the case highlights a broader challenge within Ghana’s land sector, where the intersection of customary ownership, statutory law, and rapid development continues to generate disputes.

“What is required is a transition from fragmentation to structure, from informality to legality, and from uncertainty to clarity,” the report emphasised.

For affected residents and investors, the message is unequivocal: engage with the regularisation process or risk severe legal and financial consequences.

By: Nana Osei Kwadwo