Gov’t to rename Kotoka Int’l airport to Accra Int’l airport – Majority leader

The government has confirmed plans to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport, a move aimed at aligning national landmarks with Ghana’s democratic values. The announcement came during a leadership media briefing ahead of the Ninth Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga disclosed that the name change will be effected through legislation to be presented by the Minister for Transport. “We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. A bill will be brought by the Minister for Transport for the name to be changed,” he said.

The decision responds to repeated calls from civil society groups and members of the public who argue that the current name, honoring General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, does not reflect Ghana’s democratic ideals. Kotoka was a key figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first government, and critics say celebrating him through the airport’s name contradicts the country’s commitment to democracy.

Mr. Ayariga explained that the renaming is part of wider legislative priorities expected when Parliament reconvenes. The government says the initiative is aimed at ensuring national symbols resonate with Ghana’s contemporary values of democracy, unity, and national pride.

Reactions among Ghanaians have been mixed. Some welcome the change, describing it as a necessary step in aligning public institutions with democratic principles. Others feel that removing Kotoka’s name risks erasing a controversial but significant part of Ghana’s history.

If passed, the change will position Ghana among countries that have re-evaluated how public landmarks honor historical figures, reflecting ongoing debates about memory, history, and national identity. The government has assured the public that the renaming process will follow proper parliamentary and legal procedures.

As Ghanaians await the bill’s presentation in Parliament, the proposed renaming signals a broader conversation about how the country commemorates its past while charting a course for the future.