Kotoka International Airport remains Ghana’s official legal name for the country’s main international airport, despite the government’s proposal to rename the facility Accra International Airport, the Attorney-General has told the Supreme Court. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The clarification follows a legal challenge filed by private legal practitioner Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, who is questioning the constitutionality of the government’s decision to change the airport’s name without first amending the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969 (NLCD 339).
In its response to the suit, the Office of the Attorney-General maintained that the proposed renaming has not yet taken legal effect because the necessary legislative process remains incomplete.
It argued that a public announcement of the intended name change cannot independently override an existing law.
The government’s position means that, until Parliament passes the proposed Accra International Airport Bill, the facility must legally continue to be recognised as Kotoka International Airport.
General Kotoka Trust Decree remains in force
At the centre of the dispute is the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969, which established a trust in honour of the late Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
The Attorney-General maintains that the decree remains part of Ghana’s existing laws and has neither been amended nor repealed to accommodate the proposed renaming.
In an affidavit deposed to by Assistant State Attorney Mamavi Owusu-Aboagye, the government stated that the airport’s legal name under Ghanaian law remains Kotoka International Airport.
The affidavit also rejected suggestions that the government had interfered with the trust established under the decree.
According to the Attorney-General, no beneficiary has been denied any entitlement, and no obligation created under the trust has been made unenforceable. Editorial Standards
The government further pointed to outstanding administrative and legal requirements that must be addressed before the proposed name change can be fully implemented.
These include amendments to relevant statutory instruments, changes to official documents, replacement of airport signage, updates to digital platforms and revisions to aviation publications.
The Attorney-General argued that the existence of these outstanding requirements demonstrates that the renaming process is still incomplete.
Government outlines steps towards renaming
The government also provided a timeline of the administrative processes leading to the proposed change.
According to the affidavit, a draft Accra International Airport Bill was submitted to the Ministry of Transport on August 21, 2025, for consideration and onward submission to Cabinet.
The Ministry subsequently sought Cabinet approval for the proposal on November 10, 2025.
Cabinet approved the proposed renaming on December 9, 2025, before the decision was formally communicated to the Attorney-General on January 23, 2026.
The Minister for Transport signed the proposed legislation on February 10, 2026, after which the Accra International Airport Bill, 2026, was prepared for presentation to Parliament.
The Attorney-General says the Bill has completed the necessary executive approval processes and is ready to be laid before Parliament for consideration. Corrections Policy
However, until Parliament considers and passes the legislation, the government maintains that the existing legal framework remains applicable.
Legal challenge brought before Supreme Court
The case was initiated by Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, who is seeking a declaration that the government’s decision to rename the airport without first amending NLCD 339 is unconstitutional.
His legal challenge raises questions about whether the executive can proceed with a major institutional name change while an existing decree governing the airport and the associated trust remains in force.
The Attorney-General, however, is challenging the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In its statement of case, the government argues that the plaintiff has not raised a genuine issue requiring constitutional interpretation or enforcement.
It maintains that the central complaint concerns an alleged breach of NLCD 339, which it describes as a statutory instrument rather than a constitutional provision. Privacy Policy & Terms
The Attorney-General therefore considers the action premature, particularly because Parliament has not yet formally considered the proposed Bill.
It also argues that granting the injunctions requested by the plaintiff would interfere with the legislative process before Parliament has had the opportunity to exercise its constitutional responsibilities.
The Supreme Court has yet to determine the arguments presented by both sides, and the Attorney-General’s position should not be interpreted as a final judicial ruling on the legality of the proposed renaming.
What the development means for the airport
The dispute highlights the distinction between a government’s policy announcement and the legal procedures required to implement a change under Ghanaian law.
Although public officials may begin referring to the facility by a proposed name, such usage does not necessarily establish that the change has been completed legally.
For an airport with international operations, a formal name change also involves more than replacing signs at the terminal.
Official records, aviation publications, digital systems and other institutional documents must be updated to ensure consistency for airlines, passengers, regulators and international partners.
The Attorney-General’s explanation therefore suggests that the government must complete both the legislative and administrative processes before Accra International Airport can formally replace Kotoka International Airport as the facility’s legal name.
Case remains before the Supreme Court
The proposed renaming has attracted public attention because the airport is a major national gateway and its existing name carries historical significance.
The government maintains that it is pursuing the change through the appropriate legislative process, while the plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether the decision can lawfully proceed under the current legal framework.
Until Parliament passes the proposed legislation and the outstanding requirements are addressed, Kotoka International Airport remains the facility’s legal name. Newscard
The eventual outcome will depend on the legislative process and any determination the Supreme Court makes regarding the legal challenge.