Ghana’s government has confirmed that it does not intend to retain the name of the nation’s main international airport in honour of someone associated with a military coup, saying it would be inappropriate to celebrate such a figure on a national gateway. []
The Lands Minister announced Parliament will introduce a bill to change Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport in order to remove the tribute to a coup leader and align the airport’s name with national values. []
Kotoka International Airport, located in Accra, is Ghana’s busiest airport and served over 3.4 million passengers in 2024. It was originally named Accra International Airport when it was developed under the leadership of Ghana’s first president. The current name honours Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a military officer involved in the 1966 overthrow of President Kwame Nkrumah. []
Critics of the current name argue that naming Ghana’s primary air gateway after a military figure linked with a coup sends the wrong message and does not reflect the democratic principles on which the country is built. Advocacy groups and citizens have called for the airport to be renamed after a unifying national figure, such as Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence. []
The government’s announcement follows growing public discussion about the symbolism of national landmarks and how they represent the nation on the world stage. A bill to change the airport’s name will be presented to Parliament for consideration and approval under the country’s legislative process.
