Buying Land in Ghana: Legal Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Last Updated on December 1, 2025 by Bianca Clinton, Partner at Clinton Consultancy – Qualified Solicitor (Ghana, England & Wales)

Buying land in Ghana is one of the most common investments made by individuals, families and international clients—but it is also one of the most legally challenging. Land ownership in Ghana often involves family claims, undocumented boundaries, double sales, forged documents, customary land rights, and ongoing disputes that may last years in court.

As a practising solicitor with experience in land transactions and litigation, I have seen clients lose thousands of Ghana cedis—or even their entire investment—simply because they did not consult a lawyer early in the process.

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Why Land Transactions in Ghana Are Risky

Common issues my clients face include:

Frequent Problem	Legal Risk
Same land sold to multiple buyers	Title litigation & freezing orders
Unregistered documents	Loss of ownership rights
Family disputes over inherited land	Long court battles
Land not properly demarcated	Loss of boundary / repossession
Buying without due diligence	Fraud exposure (often too late)

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I have acted for both Ghanaian and international clients who needed urgent legal action to protect their land—sometimes even requiring court injunctions to stop illegal development.

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The Golden Rule

Never pay for land in Ghana without written confirmation from a lawyer that it is safe to proceed.

Once land is purchased fraudulently or informally, legal recovery becomes far more expensive and uncertain. A simple legal review before payment can protect an entire investment.

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Need Legal Guidance Before Buying Land?

You may contact me directly for legal due diligence or land litigation support