By Issah Olegor
The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has secured a significant legal victory against the McDan Group of Companies, reclaiming more than 16 acres of prime airport-side land after a ruling by the High Court in Accra on May 6, 2025.
This ruling marks the culmination of a legal battle that began in February 2025 when GACL filed a suit against two subsidiaries of the McDan Group—McDan Shipping Company and Airport Logistics Limited—over breaches of lease agreements and the non-payment of ground rents.
The parcels, totaling approximately 10.63 acres and 5.66 acres respectively, are situated near Kotoka International Airport, in areas adjacent to and opposite Action Chapel International.
According to court filings, the companies had defaulted on rent payments amounting to $26,296.
The GACL not only sought the recovery of this amount but also requested a perpetual injunction to bar McDan’s subsidiaries from accessing or interfering with the property.
In its ruling, the court found that the defendants failed to mount a credible defence and therefore granted all reliefs requested by GACL.
This included full re-entry and possession of the land in question.
The court further ordered McDan’s companies to pay GH¢50,000 in legal costs.
This land dispute is the latest chapter in an ongoing clash between the two parties.
McDan Aviation, another arm of the conglomerate, previously faced suspension of its private jet operations at Terminal 1 of Kotoka International Airport in December 2024.
That suspension stemmed from a separate issue involving millions of dollars in outstanding debt.
While those debts were eventually settled and operations resumed, the land conflict persisted until this recent legal resolution.
GACL welcomed the decision, describing it as a crucial step in its broader effort to recover state assets and enforce compliance with lease terms.
The company credited the legal win to the diligent work of its Legal Department and the leadership of Managing Director, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare.
The judgment also reinforces the GACL’s recent posture of cracking down on lease defaults and property misuse, especially concerning high-value airport real estate.
It may set a precedent for similar cases involving government land and private operators.
Despite the ruling, the McDan Group has not yet issued a public response, and it remains unclear whether they intend to appeal the decision.
