Ndewura Jakpa Palace

Ndewura Jakpa Palace, also known as Jakpa Palace, is the traditional seat of the Yagbonwura, the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom. It stands in downtown Damongo, the capital of Ghana's Savannah Region and of the West Gonja Municipal District. The palace takes its name from Ndewura Jakpa, the Mande warrior and founder of the Gonja Kingdom who led his people to settle in northern Ghana in the early 17th century. It was originally built at Nyange in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District and was relocated to Damongo in 1942 under Yagbonwura Ewuntomah Awusi Bonayanso. The current Yagbonwura is Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I.

The palace is more than a royal residence. It is regarded as sacred ground that houses the spirits and graves of past rulers, and it serves as the traditional headquarters of the Gonja Kingdom. Its roles include acting as a final traditional court of appeal, conferring paramount titles, training chiefs and sub-chiefs, and hosting major festivals. At the entrance, an embossed human arm holding a spear — the emblem of Gonja heritage — signifies the bravery of Ndewura Jakpa and the ancestors.

The building follows a Malian architectural design. Originally constructed with traditional materials around 1942, it has been renovated many times, with a major facelift completed and the facility inaugurated in December 2024. The complex is reported to include the palace building, a residence for the Yagbonwura and his family, washrooms, conference rooms, a traditional court, a museum, offices, a large hall for palace proceedings, a mosque, an Astro turf, and a spacious block-paved courtyard able to host more than 5,000 people during royal gatherings and cultural events.

For visitors, the palace is a place to learn about the royal traditions and customs of the Gonja Kingdom. Guided tours are offered through Larabanga guides, and a palace visit is described as taking roughly 30 minutes. Practical details such as opening hours, entry fees, and whether tours run on a given day are not established by the available sources, so these should be confirmed locally before travelling. A phone number listed for the palace is +233 24 647 6640.