Steven Odarteifio commends gov’t over Accra International Airport name restoration

Mr. Steven Nhyira Odarteifio, the citizen who spearheaded the campaign to rename Kotoka International Airport, has commended the Government of Ghana for officially reverting the facility’s name to Accra International Airport.

The announcement was made on 23 February, coinciding with the eve of the 60th anniversary of the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

In a press statement issued today, Mr. Odarteifio described the decision as a “legacy moment” that reflects the maturity of Ghana’s democracy in hearing its citizens, reflecting, and acting. He noted that the petition, launched on 20 January 2026, was intended not as a distraction from national development but as a moral reminder that nation-building encompasses both material progress and ethical reflection.

“A country can build roads, airports, ports, and factories—and still choose to correct what it honours at its front door,” he said, stressing that the renaming aligns national symbols with Ghana’s values and conscience.

The Ministry of Transport confirmed that the facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before it was renamed Kotoka International Airport, and that it has been deemed appropriate to return to its former, internationally recognised name. The Ministry assured the public that the change will not affect airport operations, safety standards, or international travel arrangements. It further noted that the airport code, “ACC,” as registered with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), remains unchanged.

The renaming process will involve systematic updates to official documents, statutory instruments, airport signage, digital platforms, aviation publications, and other related materials. The Ministry has called on the public, stakeholders, and international partners to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth transition.

Earlier this year, Mr. Odarteifio renewed calls for Ghana’s main international gateway to be renamed, describing the continued use of the Kotoka name as a “national contradiction that undermines the country’s democratic values.” Speaking at the launch of the advocacy campaign in Accra on 19 January, he emphasised the airport’s symbolic importance as Ghana’s first point of contact with the world.

“Kotoka International Airport is not a name we should be proud to project,” he said, adding that national symbols should reflect unity, dignity, and shared pride rather than commemorate unconstitutional change. “An airport is not just an airport. It is the nation’s handshake. Whatever name appears on boarding passes and flight announcements becomes the story Ghana repeatedly tells the world,” he noted.

Odarteifio questioned why Ghana would continue to honour a coup-era figure at its principal gateway, particularly as the nation approaches 60 years since Dr. Nkrumah’s overthrow. “Before they taste our hospitality, they have already heard one Ghanaian name over and over again,” he said, arguing that the repetition subtly projects a narrative of military overthrow rather than Ghana’s independence legacy.

The advocacy campaign pursued formal petitions to Parliament, the Ministry of Transport, and the Judiciary, while appealing to traditional and religious leaders to lend moral authority. Odarteifio stressed that the campaign does not seek to erase history but to place it in proper context, ensuring that national symbols reflect unity, democracy, and historical justice.

He expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Transport, and all institutions involved in implementing the transition—including GACL, GCAA, security services, and airlines. He also thanked citizens, media houses, and civil society figures such as Samia Nkrumah, Kwaku Sintim Misa, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, and the Democracy Hub for keeping the issue alive over the years.

“This win belongs to Ghana, the African Union, and the founders of the Organization of African Unity (OAU),” he said, adding that the spirit of Dr. Nkrumah has been revived in the nation. He concluded: “God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation truly great and strong!”