Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have taken legal action at Ghana’s Supreme Court, calling for the removal of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka’s name from the country’s primary international airport.
The plaintiffs argue that honouring Kotoka—a central figure in the 1966 coup d’état that ousted Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah—contradicts the nation’s democratic ideals.
According to Democracy Hub, keeping Kotoka’s name on such a prominent national landmark symbolically endorses unconstitutional acts that disrupted Ghana’s democratic trajectory.
They assert that this contradicts Ghana’s efforts to establish itself as a beacon of democracy in Africa. The groups maintain that national monuments should celebrate figures who contributed positively to Ghana’s democratic development rather than those associated with its interruption.
The lawsuit contends that renaming the airport would serve as a powerful statement of Ghana’s ongoing commitment to democratic governance. It would also align national symbols with constitutional values that reflect the aspirations of Ghanaians today.
Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka played a pivotal role in the military coup of February 24, 1966, which toppled the government of Kwame Nkrumah.
While some view Kotoka as a historical figure of significance, Democracy Hub and the CPP argue that his legacy is tied to anti-democratic actions. They believe that maintaining his name on the airport sends the wrong message about the nation’s democratic identity.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on this case is expected to spark national debate over whether historical figures linked to Ghana’s coups should continue to be honoured in such visible ways or whether the country should prioritise democratic symbolism in naming key infrastructure.
NewsandVibes.com
