Accra Circuit Court Orders Businessman to Pay GH¢200,000 for Breach of Marriage Promise

An Accra Circuit Court has delivered a landmark ruling ordering a businessman, Vince Kontoh, to pay GH¢200,000 in damages to his former partner, Ms. Ernestina Torgbor, following the termination of their 11-year relationship. The court, presided over by Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam, found that the defendant had breached a long-standing promise of marriage that had formed the basis of their union. This judgment highlights the judicial system's increasing willingness to recognize the emotional and financial stakes involved in long-term informal relationships and the legal consequences when such commitments are broken.

The financial award is structured to address both the specific breach and the general distress caused to the plaintiff. Justice Kwadam awarded Ms. Torgbor GH¢150,000 specifically for the breach of promise to marry, alongside GH¢50,000 in general damages. Additionally, the court ordered that interest be applied to these amounts starting from February 16, ensuring that the plaintiff is compensated for the delay in receiving justice. The ruling also secured Ms. Torgbor's material interests, confirming her beneficial interest in a property located at East Legon and allowing her to retain ownership of a motor vehicle and an industrial blender acquired during the relationship.

In a significant legal victory for the plaintiff, the court dismissed Mr. Kontoh’s attempt to file an ejectment claim against her. By rejecting the defendant's effort to remove Ms. Torgbor from their shared residence, the court underscored the principle of fairness in domestic arrangements where partners have lived together for over a decade. The presiding judge emphasized the gravity of informal marriage promises in modern Ghanaian society, noting that the law provides a pathway for redress when one party suffers significant life changes or financial detriment based on those unfulfilled promises.

This case serves as a vital precedent for legal protections surrounding cohabitation and the "breach of promise" cause of action in Ghana. It signals to the public that long-term domestic partnerships carry inherent responsibilities that cannot be unilaterally discarded without addressing the welfare of the other partner. As legal experts analyze the implications, the verdict is expected to encourage individuals in similar situations to seek judicial intervention to protect their rights and interests when long-term commitments fail to culminate in formal marriage.