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Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court, seeking the removal of “Kotoka” from Ghana’s international airport.
The groups argue that naming the airport after Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup d’état, contradicts Ghana’s democratic values.
“For 59 years, Ghana has lived with the contradiction of denouncing coups while honouring one of the architects of the first military overthrow of an elected government.”
They believe that keeping Kotoka’s name on a national monument amounts to state endorsement of unconstitutional actions.
The plaintiffs advocate for a name change that will reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to democracy.
“It is time for Ghana to make a clear statement that it stands against unconstitutional rule, not just in rhetoric but in practice.”
Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (1926–1967) was a Ghanaian military officer who played a major role in the 24 February 1966 coup that overthrew President Kwame Nkrumah.
After the coup, he served on the National Liberation Council until he was assassinated during a failed counter-coup on April 17, 1967.
The Supreme Court is yet to set a date for the hearing of the case.
