Government plans are underway to rename Kotoka International Airport as Accra International Airport, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has announced, signalling a significant shift in the identity of one of Ghana’s most prominent national landmarks.
Mr Ayariga disclosed the proposal while addressing journalists ahead of the first sitting of the Second Session of the 9th Parliament.
According to him, the move forms part of broader government efforts to align the naming of public institutions with Ghana’s democratic values and national identity.
“Government intends to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport,” he said, adding that the change would be pursued through proper legal channels.
Legal Process Ahead
The Majority Leader explained that a formal bill will be presented to Parliament to facilitate the renaming, stressing that such decisions must follow due process and reflect the will of the people.
He emphasized that Parliament would play a central role in debating and approving the proposal once it is tabled.
“These decisions must be grounded in law and guided by the will of the people,” Mr Ayariga noted.
Historical Significance
Kotoka International Airport, Ghana’s main international gateway, is currently named after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 military coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Over the years, the name has generated periodic debate, with critics arguing that honoring a coup leader contradicts Ghana’s democratic principles, while others view it as part of the country’s complex political history.
The proposed renaming is therefore expected to spark renewed national discussion.
Public Debate Expected
Observers say the change could trigger wide-ranging conversations among historians, political actors, and the public about how Ghana commemorates its past and the figures it chooses to honour.
If approved by Parliament, the renaming would mark one of the most notable changes to a state institution in recent years.
For now, the matter awaits formal presentation before the House, where lawmakers will deliberate on the proposal.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
