By: Josephine Kekeli Amuzu
Democracy Hub, in partnership with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Ghana, seeking to remove the name Kotoka from Accra International Airport.
The legal action is aimed at correcting a historical injustice and reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to democratic governance by challenging the glorification of unconstitutional rule.
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana explicitly denounces coups d’état, emphasizing the duty of every citizen to uphold democratic principles and resist military interventions.
Their argument is based on the fact that Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the National Liberation Council (NLC), was among those who led Ghana’s first coup d’état on February 24, 1966.
According to the statement released on February 24, 2025, states that for nearly six decades, the country has continued to honour LT. Gen Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, one of the key figures responsible for Ghana’s first military overthrow in 1966, creating a contradiction between its democratic stance and historical recognition.
The airport, originally named Accra International Airport, was renamed Kotoka International Airport under the General Kotoka Trust Decree (NLCD 339) in 1969, a move that Democracy Hub and the CPP argue represents state-sanctioned endorsement of unconstitutional rule.
“This legal action is not just about a name change; it is about setting a precedent that Ghana does not condone unconstitutional governance,” a spokesperson for Democracy Hub stated. “The continued veneration of Kotoka contradicts our constitutional principles, and this lawsuit is a step towards aligning our national symbols with our democratic values.”
The group has extended its gratitude to the legal team at Merton & Everett LLP for their dedication in preparing the case through extensive legal and archival research.
Democracy Hub has also called on civil society organizations, youth activists, and all defenders of democracy to support the legal challenge. “This is more than a court case; it is a national reckoning with our past and a reaffirmation of our commitment to the rule of law. The fight for democracy is the fight for Ghana’s future.”
Read Full Stories Here
