Nkonya/Alavanyo Conflict—Lasting Solution

The recent imposition of dusk-to-dawn curfew and deployment of security personnel at the two feuding communities have contributed to calming the tension in the area but the question everyone is asking is; can these ad-hoc measures ever be the panacea for the protracted conflict that has caused so much pain, insecurity, poverty and sorrow?

The fact is that, there is no persisting boundary dispute between the Nkonya and Alavanyo people, as this matter had been settled long ago by courts of competent jurisdiction as far back as December, 1975.

In 1913, Dr. Hans Gruner, (the German Togoland Colonial Administrator in charge of Station Misahohe) assisted by Paul Sprigade, the Chief Cartographer prepared a map titled the “SECHSHERRENSTOCKES” or “Bisher Kunjagebirge Genannt” showing the true boundaries of the six communities surrounding the Togo Plateau, namely Akpafu, Santrokofi, Gbi, Alavanyo, Nkonya and Bowiri. The map was printed in Berlin, Germany and each Head-chief was given a copy for his guidance.

Details of the map were published in Issue No. 2 of the Bulletin of American Geographical Society, New York, Volume 46, 1914.

Copies of the said Gruner Map were handed over by the Germans to the French and the British authorities after the defeat of the Germans in the First World War (1914 – 1918).

The British and French Governments handed copies of the Gruner Map to the under-listed institutions for preservation and as a source of future reference.

• The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK;

• The British Library, St Pancras, London, UK;
• The British Library, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK ;

• Bibliotheque nationale de France, BnF Paris;France;

• Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munchen, Germany.
• The American Geographical Society; New York, USA
On 8th June, 1959 His Lordship, GRANVILLE SHARP J. A.(presiding) Court of Appeal, Suit No. 12/59 with C. S. Acolatse and H. O. Smith, up-held the judgment given by Justice Van Lare on May 24, 1957 in Suit No. Tr.L19/53 confirming the accuracy and authenticity of the 1913 Gruner Map as indicating their true boundaries and that defendants (Alavanyo) are “estopped per rem judicatam” from raising again the question about their boundary. This position has been affirmed by subsequent rulings by Justice Francois in Suit No. 28-35/61 in 1970 and Justices J. A. Amissah, Kingsley Nyinah, and J. A. Annan in Appeal Court Suit No. 112/74 in December, 1975. See 1976 Ghana Law Report pages 194-203.

In order to find a lasting solution to this conflict that has retarded the progress of the communities, the President should consider taking the following steps:

1. Obtain copies of the Gruner Map “ Karte des Sechsherrenstockes” from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States of America, through their embassies.

2. Compare the copies of these maps from these countries to see if they are similar.

3. If they are similar, engage the services of an international survey firm to use any of the identified maps to clearly mark out, on the ground, the boundaries as conspicuously marked with red lines on the original map prepared in 1913.

4. Cause the construction of huge concrete demarcating pillars at reasonable heights, at some intervals, to prevent further intentional and unintentional trespass or encroachment.

5. Cause each chief of the Nkonya and Alavanyo Traditional areas to sign an undertaking that their people will, perpetually, abide by the laid down boundaries.

6. Arrest, prosecute and severely punish anyone who violates the established boundaries to serve as a deterrent to others.

It is only these measures that will resolve the matter once and for all.

The international community should assist the Ghana Government to resolve this matter, since they have copies of the said map that clearly marked out the boundary in question.

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