News
Democracy Hub and CPP sue for removal of Kotoka’s name from Ghana’s international airport
Social activist group, Democracy Hub, in collaboration with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of Ghana seeking the removal of the name Kotoka from Ghana’s International Airport.
The group argues that keeping the name of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka on a national monument contradicts Ghana’s democratic principles, as he played a key role in the country’s first coup d’état in 1966.
“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 naming of Kotoka International Airport under the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969 (NLCD 339) is a state-sanctioned endorsement of unconstitutional rule. They believe removing the name would be a step towards reaffirming 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,” the statement added.
The lawsuit, supported by legal experts from Merton & Everett LLP, follows extensive legal and archival research.
Democracy Hub is calling on civil society groups, youth activists, and defenders of democracy to back the legal challenge, describing it as “more than a court case, it is a national reckoning with our past.”
Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, born 26 September 1926 – 17 April 1967, was a Ghanaian military officer who was a member of the ruling National Liberation Council which came to power in a military coup d’état on 24 February 1966.
This overthrew the government of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the republic.
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
