The social activist group Democracy Hub, in partnership with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has officially filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Ghana, seeking to remove the name Kotoka from Ghana’s main international airport.

The legal action challenges the continued use of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka’s name on a national monument, arguing that it contradicts Ghana’s democratic values due to his role in the 1966 military coup that toppled the first elected government led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Legal Challenge Against Kotoka International Airport’s Name

According to Democracy Hub, Ghana has lived with a contradiction for 59 years, simultaneously condemning coups while honoring a key coup leader with a significant national landmark. The group maintains that keeping Kotoka’s name on the airport is an endorsement of unconstitutional governance, undermining the country’s commitment to democratic principles.

“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,” the group stated.

Democracy Hub and the CPP insist that the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969 (NLCD 339), which established the airport’s name, is a state-sanctioned recognition of unconstitutional rule. They believe that removing the name would reaffirm Ghana’s stance against military takeovers.

Call for National Reflection and Democratic Reform

The lawsuit, filed with support from legal experts at Merton & Everett LLP, follows extensive legal and historical research into Ghana’s post-independence period. Democracy Hub is calling on:

• Civil society groups
• Youth activists
• Defenders of democracy

to support the legal challenge, describing it as “more than a court case; it is a national reckoning with our past.”

“It is time for Ghana to make a clear statement that it stands against unconstitutional rule, not just in rhetoric but in practice,” the statement added.

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Who Was Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka?

Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (26 September 1926 – 17 April 1967) was a Ghanaian military officer and a member of the ruling National Liberation Council (NLC), which came to power after leading a military coup on 24 February 1966. This coup overthrew the government of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a leading figure in Africa’s independence movements.

Kotoka was later assassinated in 1967 during an attempted counter-coup at Ghana’s Gondar Barracks.

Public Debate and Political Implications

The push to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has sparked intense public debate:

• Supporters argue that Kotoka’s role in overthrowing an elected government makes it inappropriate to honor him with a national monument. They believe renaming the airport will reinforce Ghana’s commitment to democracy and civilian rule.
• Opponents argue that Kotoka played a significant role in shaping Ghana’s political history, and his legacy should not be erased. Some see the lawsuit as a political move by the CPP, which has historical ties to Nkrumah.

This legal challenge could have far-reaching implications on how Ghana memorializes figures from its past, particularly those involved in military interventions.

What Happens Next?

The Supreme Court is expected to review the case in the coming months. If successful, the ruling could pave the way for renaming Ghana’s main airport and potentially reassessing other national monuments linked to military rule.

As the debate unfolds, Democracy Hub and the CPP continue to rally support for their cause, urging Ghanaians to reflect on the nation’s commitment to democratic governance.

source: myjoyonline