The Circuit Court in Accra has awarded GH¢200,000 in damages to a woman after finding that her former partner breached a promise to marry her.
The case, presided over by Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam — a Justice of the High Court sitting with additional responsibility as a Circuit Court judge — arose from a dispute between Vince Kontoh and Ernestina Torgbor following the breakdown of their relationship.
Mr. Kontoh, the plaintiff, had gone to court seeking an order to eject Ms. Torgbor from a property.
In response, Ms. Torgbor filed a counterclaim, alleging that Mr. Kontoh had promised to marry her but failed to honour that commitment, causing her emotional and financial harm.
After hearing both sides, the court dismissed Mr. Kontoh’s claim for ejection in its entirety.
Justice Kwadam ruled that both parties had an interest in the disputed property, effectively rejecting the plaintiff’s attempt to remove the defendant from the premises.
On the counterclaim, the court found in favour of Ms. Torgbor and entered judgment against Mr. Kontoh for breach of promise to marry. The court awarded her GH¢200,000 in damages.
In delivering the ruling, Justice Kwadam stated:
“The Plaintiff’s claim for ejectment is dismissed in its entirety. Judgment is entered for the Defendant on her counterclaim for breach of promise to marry.”
The decision underscores that, under Ghanaian law, a promise to marry — where proven and relied upon — may carry legal consequences if unjustifiably withdrawn, particularly where the aggrieved party demonstrates loss or damage arising from the broken commitment.
The ruling brings to a close a case that combined issues of personal relationship breakdown with property and contractual claims, highlighting the court’s willingness to adjudicate disputes arising from failed marital commitments.
Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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