The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has secured a major legal victory in its long-running dispute with the McDan Group of Companies, successfully reclaiming over 16 acres of prime airport land near Kotoka International Airport. The development follows a decisive ruling by the Accra High Court on May 6, 2025, granting GACL full re-entry and possession of two strategic land parcels previously held by subsidiaries of McDan.
Background of the Land Dispute
The reclaimed lands, measuring approximately 10.63 and 5.66 acres, are situated adjacent to and opposite Action Chapel International, in the high-value airport enclave of Accra. Since 2012, the properties had been occupied by McDan Shipping Company and Airport Logistics Limited, both under the McDan Group umbrella.
In February 2025, GACL initiated legal action against the McDan entities, citing breaches of lease agreements and non-payment of outstanding ground rent. The case was presented as a summary judgment application, arguing that the defendants had no valid legal grounds to continue occupying the land.
After reviewing the evidence, the court sided entirely with GACL, ordering the repossession of the land and directing McDan to pay GH¢50,000 in legal costs.
Previous Tensions Between GACL and McDan
This is not the first high-profile standoff between the two entities. In December 2024, GACL suspended the operations of McDan Aviation at Terminal 1 of Kotoka International Airport over unresolved financial obligations. Although those debts were later settled, the land issue remained a lingering source of tension — until this recent court decision brought closure.
GACL Celebrates a Win for Public Accountability
The management of GACL has welcomed the ruling, calling it a major milestone in the company’s broader mission to protect public assets and ensure accountability.
“This repossession safeguards millions of dollars’ worth of state assets and reinforces our commitment to accountability and the lawful stewardship of public property,” said a senior source within GACL.
The success of the litigation has been largely attributed to the company’s Legal Department, under the leadership of Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, who has been at the forefront of GACL’s ongoing asset recovery strategy.
Strategic Plans for the Reclaimed Land
Now that the land has been legally recovered, GACL says it will initiate strategic development plans for the reclaimed sites. These may include:
Aviation-related infrastructure expansion Public-private partnerships (PPPs) Revenue-generating projects aimed at enhancing the airport ecosystem
The move is part of GACL’s broader initiative to modernize airport infrastructure and diversify income streams, especially in the wake of growing global air traffic and the need for enhanced airport capacity.
Conclusion
This legal victory not only restores valuable public land to state control but also sets a strong precedent for enforcing lease agreements and holding private entities accountable. As GACL turns its focus to development, the reclaimed land could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ghana’s aviation infrastructure and economic growth.
