After 11-Year Relationship, Man Fined GHS200,000 for Failing to Marry Partner

An Accra Circuit Court has ordered a businessman to pay GHS200,000 in damages for breaching a promise to marry after ending an 11-year relationship.

The Court entered judgment in favour of Ernestina Torgbor on her counterclaim for breach of promise to marry against Vince Kontoh, who had initially sued her for ejectment following the breakdown of their relationship.

Presiding judge, Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam, a High Court Judge sitting with additional responsibility as a Circuit Court Judge, awarded Ernestina GHS50,000 in general damages and GHS150,000 as compensation for the breach.

The Court further ordered Vince to pay interest at prevailing commercial bank rates on the amount from February 16, 2026, and awarded costs of GHS20,000 to Ernestina.

In addition, the Court declared that Ernestina had a beneficial interest in a two-bedroom apartment at East Legon, Accra. It directed that she should continue to use a Toyota RAV4 vehicle and an industrial blender, as Vince had laid no claim to them.

The parties were also ordered to take steps to regularise Ernestina’s interest in a six-unit, two-bedroom apartment block at East Legon.

The ruling followed a writ filed by Vince seeking to eject Ernestina from the apartment after terminating the relationship. Ernestina opposed the claim and counterclaimed for breach of promise to marry.

The Court heard that the relationship began in 2013 while Vince was living abroad and Ernestina was in Ghana. During that period, Vince provided funds for industrial machinery and a vehicle, supported the education of Ernestina’s children, and financed the construction of the six-unit apartment block.

Ernestina supervised the construction and managed the funds sent by Vince. Upon completion of the project, she relocated from Dansoman to East Legon in 2017 at his request.

Evidence before the Court indicated that Vince presented Ernestina with a ring, publicly referred to himself as her “in-law” during her father’s funeral, wrote a tribute, made a donation, and participated in funeral rites.

The couple cohabited until Vince ended the relationship, reportedly stating that he preferred an unemployed woman who could take care of him.