The Supreme Court has given the Attorney-General seven days to respond to a legal challenge. The case questions the reported renaming of Kotoka International Airport (KIA). This directive was issued on Thursday, 14 May 2026. The Apex court wanted a swift reply.
The Attorney-General had asked for more time to present its arguments. The initial lawsuit was filed in March 2026. Plaintiff Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers is a lawyer and policy analyst. He argues the airport's name change did not follow correct legal steps. Specifically, he cited the General Kotoka Trust Decree from 1969. Brako-Powers believes altering the name needs a formal legal update or cancellation of old laws. It should not be done by a simple announcement.
This dispute touches on the official standing of Kotoka International Airport. KIA is a very important national symbol. It is named after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka. Plaintiff's lawyer, Michael Akosah, stated that changing the airport's name must respect constitutional rules. Parliamentary approval might be necessary. The government's legal team requested extra time. They leading this request were Chief State Attorneys.
The court granted the request for more time. However, it stressed the need to speed up the case. The Attorney-General must now file its response within seven days. This is to prevent delays in the court proceedings. Brako-Powers argues the case raises important constitutional questions. These include executive power and how state assets are managed. The Attorney-General needs to explain if current laws allow unilateral renaming by the executive branch. This bypasses parliamentary consent.
Legal watchers see this case as significant. It could shape how governance and public assets are managed in Ghana. The Supreme Court will hear the case again after the Attorney-General submits its response. This legal battle is over GHS 0.00 revenue impact but concerns governance precedent.