Traditional authorities demand immediate halt to unauthorized demarcation of over 1 million acres

The Wasipe Traditional Council has filed an urgent petition with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah Kofi Buah, alleging illegal land demarcation and fraudulent paramountcy claims by a group identifying itself as the “Tampulma Traditional Council.”

In a press conference held at the palace of the Wasipewura, a petition signed by Jantonwura Peter Awusi Yakubu, Secretary of the Wasipe Traditional Council, was read where the Wasipe Traditional Council said approximately 1,079,170 acres of land within the Wasipe Traditional Area have been unlawfully surveyed and mapped without authorization from legitimate land custodians which is the Wasipewura and Yagbonwura.

The Wasipe Traditional Council has claimed to have intercepted a cadastral map survey allegedly approved by one Surveyor Abdulai Fuseini on September 16, 2025, showing the vast parcel falsely registered under the name of “Tampulma Traditional Council.”

The disputed land stretches from the Tachali River to Belle and Kandia on the western bank of the White Volta.” This is a flagrant violation of Ghana’s land governance laws and customary land tenure systems,” the petition states.

The petition further reveals that on December 21, 2023, the same Tampulma group submitted a request to the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi seeking recognition as a paramountcy—a claim the Wasipe Traditional Council describes as lacking historical, customary, or legal foundation.

The Wasipe Traditional Council argue that the Tampulmas were historically an acephalous group assimilated under the authority of the Gonja Kingdom centuries ago by Ndewura Jakpa, and have never held allodial title or customary authority over Wasipe lands.

The Wasipe Traditional Council emphasizes that customary land ownership in the area is vested in the Wasipewura and ultimately the Yagbonwura, King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom. They note that the so-called “Tampulma Traditional Council” is not recognized by either the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs or the National House of Chiefs.

Five-Point Demand; The Wasipe Traditional Council calls on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to:

1. Immediately halt any land registration or demarcation processes involving the disputed acreage
2. Launch a formal investigation into the issuance of the cadastral map and the role of officials involved
3. Instruct the Savannah Regional Lands Commission to work exclusively with established traditional authorities
4. Refer potential breaches of professional conduct to appropriate legal bodies
5. Take swift action to prevent escalation of tensions

While emphasizing their commitment to peace and legality, the Wasipe Traditional Council has reserved the right to pursue legal redress through Ghana’s courts and petition relevant constitutional authorities if the matter is not addressed. “As Ghana strives for peaceful coexistence and proper land governance, we urge your leadership to intervene promptly and decisively to avert any potential escalation of tensions,” the Wasipe Traditional Council concludes.

The petition was co-signed by Yazoriwura and Tandawura, Alhaji Mohammed Amin, on behalf of the Wasipewura and the broader Wasipe Traditional Area.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has not yet issued a public response to the petition.

The Hearts of Gonja has moved to support 13 Gonjas who lost properties, loved ones, and were affected in several ways due to the recent Gbenyiri conflict in the Sawla/Tuna/Kalba area with cash donations.

Speaking at the event, Chairman for “The Hearts of Gonja”, Abdul Razack Yayaha, known as Zack Natomah, said the group is a youth-driven association devoted to preserving cherished customs and traditions. Their work includes ensuring every aspect of Gonja heritage follows due process, which is the foundation of their identity.

Recounting how their brothers and sisters from the Gonja side found themselves in the midst of a tragedy, the Gonja-Lobi conflict at Gbinyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region, Natomah said “The Hearts of Gonja” is more than just custodians of tradition, they are a family that rises when one of their own falls, comforts when one suffers, and stands together in adversity.

Thirteen Gonjas, including the Gbiniyiriwura, the Bundiwura, and eleven others, have been left injured, traumatized, and struggling to rebuild their lives. “Until now, these victims have received no form of support from any person or organization. They are left to their faith, waiting for a helping hand, waiting for someone to care,” Mr. Zack disclosed.

“It is said that ‘the true measure of a community is how it treats its most vulnerable,” he added. “This is the time for us to show that we, the people of Gonja, stand for compassion, generosity, and humanity.”

As Chairman of “The Hearts of Gonja”, he proudly announced that, in collaboration with YAGBON BE KAYIGBON and the Sawla Youth Network, they have mobilized funds to support these victims. Appealing for more support, Zack Natomah acknowledged that their efforts alone are not enough due to the great needs and deep physical and emotional wounds. “That is why today, we are not just giving; we are also calling on every benevolent association, group, and individual with the heart of a true Gonja to rise and stand with us. Let us show these thirteen victims that they are not alone, that they belong to a community that cares, acts, and heals,” he said.

“Our ancestors built this Kingdom not only on courage but on compassion. When one of us was in pain, all of us felt it. When one of us needed help, all of us provided it. Let us keep that spirit alive today. Every contribution counts, every donation matters, and every support can change a life,” he emphasized.

He called for joint efforts to restore hope to the Gbiniyiriwura, the Bundiwura, and the eleven others, entreating that their support should be a message of unity, healing, and love, saying, “You are not forgotten. We are with you.”

He reiterated that true tradition is not only about rituals and successions but also about empathy and communal responsibility, praying that their actions would inspire generations to come.

On behalf of The Hearts of Gonja, YAGBON BE KAYIGBON, and the Sawla Youth Network, he appreciated all present, for their compassion and generosity. “The Gonja Kingdom stands as a symbol of courage and togetherness, and it is in this spirit that we are here today”, he concluded

The Omanhene of the Abease Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty Obrenpong Kru Takyi II, who is also the Vice President of the Bono East Region House of Chiefs, has pledged to collaborate with the Pru West District Security Council (DISEC) to flush out the activities of nomadic herdsmen in the Abease Traditional Area.
This was agreed at a joint meeting held today, Thursday, 25th September 2025, at the Conference Hall of the Abease Traditional Council. The meeting, chaired by the Pru West District Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Agyapong, brought together the Traditional Council, DISEC, and key security agencies to deliberate on the security menace posed by the influx of nomadic herdsmen.
Speaking at the meeting, the Omanhene noted that the activities of nomadic herdsmen have become a major threat to farming and security in the Abease Traditional Area. He expressed gratitude to the District Chief Executive and his team for responding swiftly to the concerns of farmers and Nananom, stressing that farming being the main occupation of the people, continues to suffer due to the destruction of farmlands by roaming cattle.
The Omanhene called on Nananom, particularly the Adikrofo (community chiefs), to work hand-in-hand with DISEC to establish Task Forces in every community to monitor and flush out the herdsmen. He further warned that law enforcement agencies should clamp down on any individuals or groups claiming to be “nomadic contractors” bringing foreign herdsmen into the area without the knowledge or consent of the Traditional Council.
For his part, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Agyapong, directed that Task Forces be established immediately in all communities to take stock of kraals and herdsmen, as part of measures to assist the District Assembly in addressing the situation. He praised the Traditional Council for their active participation and assured them of DISEC’s readiness to support efforts to restore peace and security in the area. “Without peace, there can be no meaningful development,” Hon. Agyapong stated, urging all stakeholders to work together to safeguard the Abease Traditional Area.
The DISEC delegation included the Divisional Police Commander, the District Police Commander, the District Fire Commander, the District National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) Officer, and the Abease Formed Police Unit (FPU) Commander.

By: Iddrisu Adam Afuli, Abease Traditional Council

The Office of the Assemblyman for the Canteen electoral area has organized a community durbar to tackle pressing issues affecting the area, including low enrollment of students and high illicit drug abuse among the youth. The event, which brought together chiefs, opinion leaders, and members of the Assembly, aimed to address these challenges and find sustainable solutions.

The Assembly member for the Canteen electoral area, Hon. Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham, stated that the durbar’s primary objective is to address school enrollment issues, drug use among youth, and pertinent health issues in the community. “We are determined to find solutions to these challenges and improve the lives of our community members,” he said. He expressed his pleasure at the high level of participation from the chiefs, opinion leaders, and Assembly members, believing that the rich ideas shared during the event will lead to community development.

Hon. Ananpansah highlighted some of the development projects underway in the community, including the construction of a six-unit classroom block for Canteen Primary School and a three-unit classroom block for Settlement. “These projects will improve teaching and learning and address enrollment issues,” he said. He expressed confidence that the teachers will commit to the agreements reached during the durbar and that the community will also play its part in uplifting the standard of education in Canteen.

Some of the concerns raised during the durbar include the use of students by teachers for non-school work during school hours. Hon. Ananpansah pledged to work with the Canteen citizens living in the diaspora, known as “Canteen Yara,” to add their resources as support to the community. “We will work together to address these challenges and improve the lives of our community members,” he said.

The Assemblyman appreciated the support of various stakeholders, including the Damongo MP, Care Ghana, Better Dream Foundation, the West Gonja Assembly, St. Anne Hospital, and the media. “We are grateful for the support and partnership of these organizations,” he said. He stated that the turnout alone has motivated him to work closely with the School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) to address the area’s issues.

The School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for the Canteen circuit, Hon. Mumuni Mohammed, emphasized the need for the durbar, citing a decline in enrollment at the Canteen school. “We need to tackle this menace and ensure that our community’s children attend local schools,” he said. He charged stakeholders to work together to address the challenges facing the community.

The durbar featured free health screening, sensitization from the Narcotics Control Commission, and biometric birth certificate registration by the Births and Deaths Department. These activities aimed to address some of the health and administrative challenges facing the community.

As part of their ongoing educational tour in Accra, the Education for Change team visited the palace of the President of the Inner City Tribal Chiefs, Chief Dr. Mohammed Sungtaaba, to seek blessings and share the vision behind their initiative.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Abubakar Ahmed, briefed the chief on the objectives of Education for Change, a non-governmental organization aimed at inspiring and mentoring students, especially from underserved communities. He proudly mentioned that Queen Teeya, winner of Ghana’s Most Beautiful 2022, is a product of the initiative a symbol of what students can achieve with the right guidance and support.

The Vice President and Queen Mother of the Inner City Chiefs and Queen Mothers, Naa Adzakumah Awudome Manye, also addressed the gathering. She encouraged the students to take their studies seriously and to remain hopeful regardless of life’s challenges. “Education is your weapon. Don’t allow your background to limit your dreams. Keep going, and never give up,” she advised.

In his remarks, Chief Dr. Mohammed Sungtaaba emphasized the importance of unity among Northern tribes, stating that unlike the Akans who have united under a common identity, Northerners must also work towards cohesion and collective progress.
“These young ones are our future leaders. They must be taught peace, unity, and respect for diversity. Without unity, we cannot grow,” he said.

The chief also commended the efforts of the Education for Change team and offered a token of support to encourage the continuation of their impactful work. The visit ended with words of appreciation and a renewed call to invest in the next generation of leaders through education and mentorship.

The visit followed an earlier encounter with an officer of the Ghana Prisons Service. He engaged the students on key topics including types of crimes, the consequences of criminal behavior, and the role of prisons in national security and rehabilitation.

Speaking to the 38 students drawn from various Junior and Senior High Schools in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, He emphasized that crime has no age limit, and young people must be cautious of the choices they make.
“Many of those behind bars started with what they thought were ‘small mistakes’, truancy, theft, peer pressure, drug abuse. One wrong decision can change your life forever,” he cautioned.

He also took time to explain the different categories of crime in Ghana, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, and gave practical examples that the students could relate to.

On the issue of prison life, He demystified common myths and painted a realistic picture of the daily routines of inmates. He explained the types of vocational training and skills offered to inmates, such as tailoring, carpentry, bead making, and farming, skills that could help them reintegrate into society after their sentence.

The prison is not only a place of punishment; it is also a place of reform. He said there are a lot or artisan works that can be learnt whiles in custody. Some of these includes; (Tailoring/seamstress, carpentry, masonry, plumbering, welding etc). But it’s best to never enter there at all,” he stressed”.

The session ended with a strong appeal to the students to stay focused on their education, obey rules, choose the right friends, and always strive to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

The students, who are on a mentorship and sightseeing tour in Accra, expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity, describing the session as both informative and transformational.

The tour is part of Education for Change’s mission to empower rural students through exposure and mentorship, under the leadership of the Regional Coordinator Mr. Tanko and the Municipal Coordinator Mr. Joshua, with support from the Ghana Education Service and media coverage by Spear FM’s Mr. Jamal Iddrisu.

Education for Change, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2003, has commenced an educational tour to Accra with selected students from various schools in the West Gonja Municipality. The tour is aimed at providing mentorship, exposure, and sightseeing opportunities to young learners, many of whom are traveling outside the Savannah Region for the first time.

A total of 38 students are participating in the tour, 33 from Junior High Schools and 5 from Senior High Schools with only 12 of them being boys. The selection process was done in collaboration with school heads and education stakeholders within the municipality and the best students based on terminal results the academic year were selected.

The educational trip is designed to broaden the perspectives of these students by giving them a chance to explore key institutions, historical landmarks, and interact with mentors and professionals in Accra. It also seeks to inspire academic excellence and leadership qualities in the participants.

The delegation is led by the Regional Coordinator of Education for Change, Mr. Imoro Tanko Adam, and the Municipal Coordinator, Mr. Iddrisu Joshua Umar. They are accompanied by Madam Abigail, a representative from the Ghana Education Service (GES), and Mr. Jamal Iddrisu, a journalist from Spear FM, who will be documenting the experience.

Speaking ahead of the trip, the coordinators expressed their hope that this initiative will empower the students to dream big and aim higher in their academic and career journeys. Education for Change remains committed to creating learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom.