Accra: The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has announced the government's plans to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. He revealed that a bill will soon be presented to Parliament by the Minister of Transport to facilitate this change.
According to Ghana Web, Ayariga addressed journalists ahead of the first sitting of the Second Session of the 9th Parliament, stating, "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 to facilitate this change. The Accra International Airport bill will also come." He emphasized that such decisions must be based in law and reflect the will of the people.
The proposed renaming follows years of public debate and increasing calls for change. Critics argue that the current name honors Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a coup leader involved in the overthrow of Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Among those advocating for the change is Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah, daughter of Kwame Nkrumah, who has consistently suggested reverting the airport's name to its original, Accra International Airport.
Historically, the airport began as a military facility used by the British Royal Air Force during World War II, later transitioning to civilian authorities. In 1956, under President Kwame Nkrumah, a development project was initiated to transform the facility into a terminal building, completed in 1958. Initially named Accra International Airport, it had the capacity to handle about 500,000 passengers annually.
In 1969, the airport was renamed Kotoka International Airport in honor of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a member of the National Liberation Council who was killed during a coup attempt at the airport's forecourt.