Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has repossessed over 16 acres of strategically located airport lands from the McDan Group of Companies, following a decisive ruling by the Accra High Court.
The judgment, delivered on May 6, 2025, marks a significant milestone in GACL’s ongoing drive to protect and recover state-owned assets, especially in high-value aviation corridors. The ruling grants GACL full re-entry and possession of two key plots, measuring approximately 10.63 acres and 5.66 acres, situated adjacent to and opposite Action Chapel International, within proximity to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The lands were previously leased to McDan Shipping Company and Airport Logistics Limited, subsidiaries under the McDan Group, since 2012. However, after years of unresolved contractual breaches and outstanding rent payments, GACL initiated legal action to reclaim the properties.
In February 2025, GACL filed the suit, citing prolonged non-compliance with lease terms and failure to settle ground rents totalling $26,296. The company also sought a perpetual injunction to bar the defendants from any future claims or interference concerning the said lands.
Following months of legal proceedings, GACL applied for a summary judgment, asserting that the defendants had no valid legal defence. The High Court concurred, awarding all the reliefs sought by GACL and ordering the McDan Group entities to pay GH¢50,000 in legal costs.
This legal development comes on the heels of another high-profile incident involving McDan Aviation, which had its operations at Terminal 1 of KIA suspended in December 2024 over debt issues. Although those obligations were later settled, the land dispute persisted until the recent court ruling brought finality.
GACL has hailed the judgment as a landmark achievement in the stewardship of public assets.
“The repossession of these lands not only safeguards millions of dollars’ worth of state assets but also reinforces our commitment to accountability and lawful management of public property,” a source within GACL is quoted by Citi news to have said.
Industry analysts suggest that the reclaimed parcels, located in a highly desirable zone near the airport, could be earmarked for aviation-related infrastructure expansion or lucrative strategic partnerships aimed at boosting non-aeronautical revenue streams.
