The Supreme Court of Ghana has ordered the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, to file a response within seven days in a case challenging the renaming of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport (AIA).

The directive was issued on Thursday, 14 May 2026, after the court heard an application from the Attorney General seeking additional time to respond to the suit filed by lawyer and policy analyst Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com on May 15, 2026, Brako-Powers initiated the suit in March 2026, questioning the legality of any change to the airport’s name.

He argued that such a decision must follow strict legal procedures, including possible legislative amendment under the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969 (NRCD 339), rather than being carried out through executive or administrative action.

“Any alteration to the airport’s official name must be effected through a formal amendment or repeal of the relevant legislation rather than by executive announcement or administrative directive,” the report said.

Citizen files suit at Supreme Court over renaming of Kotoka International Airport

His lawyer, Michael Akosah, maintains that the issue raises fundamental constitutional questions about how state assets are named and whether the executive has authority to make such changes without parliamentary approval.

The Attorney General’s office, represented by a Chief State Attorney, requested more time to prepare a full response on the legal issues raised.

While the court granted the extension request, it stressed urgency in the matter and directed that the response be filed within seven days.

The Attorney General is expected to address whether any existing laws allow for the unilateral renaming of national landmarks without Parliament’s involvement.

The case is set to return to the Supreme Court after the Attorney General submits its response and is being closely watched as it may clarify the limits of executive power over public institutions and national symbols.

MRA/VPO

Former Asante Akim North MP breaks silence on MP OK Frimpong’s ‘arrest’