Katariga, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
The Queen Mother of Katariga Traditional Area, Memunatu Issah, and palace elders have voiced serious concerns over the alleged unauthorized sale of stool lands by individuals reportedly claiming to act on behalf of the military.
The traditional authorities made the disclosure at a press conference held at the Katariga Chief Palace on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the Queen Mother, Mr. Yakubu Sulemana, and endorsed by palace elders, the authorities said some individuals have falsely presented themselves as military personnel to sell lands that legally belong to the Chief and people of Katariga, without the consent of traditional authorities.
“All lands in Katariga are stool lands, held in trust by the Chief for the community,” the statement said. “Any sale carried out under the pretense of military authority is illegal, misleading, and threatens peace and land security.”
Katariga Traditional Area shares boundaries with the Kamina Barracks in Tamale.
“We contacted the military command, and they confirmed their boundaries are limited to plots within the barracks. Yet, some individuals have gone beyond these limits, selling land that belongs to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother does not know who issued the allocation letters. We also do not know whether it is Gulkpenaa, the Lands Commission, or the Overlord of Dagbon. Whoever it is should come forward with evidence” – According to Sulemana Damba, one of the elders.
The authorities further highlighted that certain lands in and around Tamale, previously acquired by the government but no longer in use, have been returned, except for those belonging to the Queen Mother, including areas such as Kalandan, the Old Airport, and Target.
The traditional leaders have called on relevant authorities to Conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, Identify and hold accountable those involved, Immediately halt all unauthorized transactions, and Restore trust and maintain peaceful relations between the community and security agencies.
The Queen Mother and elders reiterated their commitment to justice, accountability, and peaceful coexistence, urging prompt intervention from the authorities.