The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has secured a major legal victory, reclaiming over 16 acres of prime airport land from the McDan Group of Companies following a decisive ruling by the Accra High Court.
The court’s judgment, delivered on May 6, 2025, granted GACL full re-entry and possession of two key plots, one spanning 10.63 acres and the other 5.66 acres, near the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). These lands, strategically located adjacent to and opposite the Action Chapel International, had been leased to McDan Shipping Company and Airport Logistics Limited, both subsidiaries of the McDan Group, since 2012.
Long-Running Land Dispute Resolved
GACL initiated legal action in February 2025, seeking to recover approximately $26,296 in unpaid ground rents, alongside a perpetual injunction to prevent the companies from further occupying the sites. According to GACL, the McDan entities had repeatedly breached their lease agreements, prompting the airport operator to pursue legal recourse.
Court Ruling Favors GACL
The court found that the defendants lacked a credible defense, leading to a summary judgment in GACL’s favour. The ruling not only awarded GACL full possession of the lands but also imposed GH¢50,000 in legal costs on the McDan Group.
Broader Implications for Asset Recovery
This repossession comes on the heels of a separate standoff between GACL and McDan Aviation in December 2024, when operations at Terminal 1 of KIA were temporarily halted over debt obligations. While those financial issues were later resolved, the land dispute lingered until this recent court intervention.
New Development Prospects
With the reclaimed lands now under its control, GACL is expected to explore strategic development opportunities, potentially aligning with its long-term infrastructure expansion plans and efforts to boost revenue generation.
GACL’s management has praised the court’s decision as a critical win for public asset protection. Insiders credit the success to the company’s Legal Department and the leadership of Managing Director Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, who reportedly championed the aggressive recovery strategy.
By PProsper Agbenyegah
