Common Land Disputes in Ghana: Causes, Prevention and Remedies
27 Aug 2026
3 min read
Land disputes are among the most common legal conflicts involving land in Ghana. They may arise from competing claims to ownership, multiple grants, unclear boundaries, inadequate documentation, inheritance disputes, or disagreements over the authority to deal with land.
Understanding the common causes of land disputes and knowing how to respond when a dispute arises can help landowners, purchasers and other persons with interests in land protect their rights.
This guide provides an overview of common land disputes in Ghana, ways to reduce the risk of disputes, and some of the mechanisms available for resolving them.
What This Guide Explains
This guide explains:
Common causes of land disputes
Practical steps that can help reduce the risk of land disputes
Steps to consider when a land dispute arises
The law relating to land guard activities
This guide provides general legal information only and does not determine rights in any specific land dispute.
Common Causes of Land Disputes
Land disputes can arise for many reasons. Some of the most common include:
A. Multiple Sales and Competing Ownership Claims
This may occur where:
The same land is granted to multiple purchasers;
Different persons claim ownership of the same land;
A person grants land without having the authority to do so;
Different members of a family, stool, skin or other landholding group make competing grants.
Where competing claims arise, determining who has the better interest may require an examination of the history of the land, the authority of the persons who made the grants, and the relevant documents and records.
B. Boundary and Encroachment Disputes
A boundary dispute may arise where parties disagree about the boundaries of a parcel of land.
Encroachment occurs where a person unlawfully occupies or develops land belonging to another person.
These disputes may arise from:
Unclear or disputed boundaries;
Inaccurate or inadequate site plans;
Failure to properly identify or demarcate land; or
Development extending beyond the boundaries of a person's land.
Proper identification and demarcation of land can help reduce the risk of these disputes.
C. Inadequate or Conflicting Documentation
Disputes may arise where land transactions are poorly documented or where different documents appear to relate to the same land.
Problems may include:
Oral or informal arrangements;
Missing or incomplete documents;
Conflicting agreements or instruments;
Unregistered interests; or
Documents that do not accurately identify the land or the interest being transferred.
Documentation alone, however, does not necessarily establish ownership. The authority of the grantor and the history of the land may also need to be established.
D. Fraudulent Transactions
Fraud may occur where a person falsely represents that they own land or have authority to deal with it.
Examples may include:
Forged or altered land documents;
False claims of ownership;
Unauthorised grants;
Concealment of documents or material information; and
Multiple or conflicting grants of the same land.
Thorough verification of documents, grantors, and land history is essential to reducing the risk of fraud and unauthorised dealing.
Reducing the Risk of Land Disputes
Although not all land disputes can be avoided, appropriate steps can significantly reduce the risk.
Before acquiring land, consider:
Verifying ownership and the interest being offered
Conducting the appropriate searches at the Lands Commission
Confirming the location, size and boundaries of the land
Verifying the authority and capacity of the person granting the land
Ensuring that all required consents have been obtained
Documenting the transaction clearly and accurately
Registering the interest
For more information, see our guides Understanding Land Ownership in Ghana, Understanding Land Interests and Acquisition in Ghana, and Buying Land in Ghana: Documentation, Registration and Due Diligence.
Many land disputes arise not simply because of bad faith, but because important steps were not taken at the beginning of the transaction.
What If a Land Dispute Arises?
If a dispute arises, taking the appropriate steps early can help protect your position. These may include:
Preserving all land documents and relevant evidence
Seeking legal advice at an early stage
Considering alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, where appropriate
Avoiding self-help, confrontation, or private enforcement
Engaging relevant customary or statutory authorities, where appropriate
Land disputes should be addressed through lawful processes, rather than threats, violence or other forms of private enforcement.
Land Guard Activities
The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) criminalises certain activities commonly associated with land guards.
These acts include unlawfully supervising or controlling land development, extorting money or other benefits from persons with interests in land, and using force or violence to prevent a person with an interest in land from accessing or developing the land.
Persons found guilty of such offences are liable, on summary conviction, to a term of imprisonment.
The existence of a land dispute does not give any party the right to use land guards or other unlawful means to enforce their claim.
Why Does Understanding Land Disputes Matter?
Understanding how land disputes arise can help you recognise potential problems early and take steps to protect your interests.
It can help you:
Reduce the risk of avoidable disputes;
Identify problems before committing significant funds;
Protect your land and other interests;
Respond appropriately when a dispute arises; and
Avoid unlawful self-help or confrontation.
Land disputes can be complex and may take time to resolve. Taking appropriate steps at the beginning of a transaction can help reduce the risk of serious problems later.
Need Help With a Land Dispute?
If you are involved in a land dispute, early legal advice can help you understand your rights, assess the available options and determine the appropriate next steps.
Explore Niellégal's relevant legal guides and / or use our Consult a Lawyer feature to request an introduction to an independent lawyer on the Niellégal Professional Network.
Important Note
This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only. Laws may have changed since this guide was last updated. For specific legal advice about your situation, please consult a qualified lawyer. Accessing or using this information does not create a lawyer–client relationship.
Last updated: January 2026