The lead convener of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has justified the group’s decision to file a lawsuit demanding the removal of “Kotoka” from the name of Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport.
The legal challenge, filed on Monday, February 24, 2025, in collaboration with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), argues that retaining the name of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka—a key figure in the 1966 coup d’état—contradicts Ghana’s democratic values.
Legal Arguments
The plaintiffs contend that keeping Kotoka’s name on a major national monument effectively endorses unconstitutional actions, particularly his role in overthrowing Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 25, Barker-Vormawor clarified that the case is not an attempt to erase history but rather to ensure that national symbols reflect Ghana’s democratic ideals.
“The process of naming and renaming is part of history itself. Just as Bombay became Mumbai, changing Kotoka International Airport’s name is a historical decision,” he explained.
He further argued that the legal challenge is based on whether the name “valorizes a coup d’état,” which would violate constitutional principles. However, if the name was retained for reasons unrelated to the 1966 coup, no legal case could be made.
CPP Distances Itself
Despite initial reports of a joint lawsuit, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has publicly distanced itself from the legal action, stating that it had no prior knowledge of the Democracy Hub’s decision to file the writ.
The lawsuit has reignited national debates about the legacy of Ghana’s political history and the appropriateness of honoring figures linked to military interventions.
Please download our HOTDIGITAL ONLINE APP and follow HotDigital Online on our social media platforms to stay updated on our upcoming initiatives.
#HotDigitalHealthAwareness #CommunityHealth #GhanaNursesAssociationUK #HealthMatters #HotDigitalOnline #StrongerTogether
