Accra: Minister of Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe has defended the government's decision to rename Kotoka International Airport, stating that the initiative is part of a broader restructuring effort and is not politically motivated. The minister addressed journalists during a working visit to the State Transport Corporation, clarifying that the proposed renaming to Accra International Airport is aimed at restoring the facility to a neutral and geographically relevant name.
According to Ghana Web, Nikpe emphasized that the change aligns with global standards where major airports are named after capital cities, stressing that the decision is intended to honor Ghana's identity without causing discomfort or controversy. 'This has nothing to do with politics; Accra is our capital city. It doesn't belong to any individual, and naming the airport after the capital is in line with international practice,' he said.
The renaming proposal has garnered opposition from notable personalities, including Franklin Cudjoe and Azar. However, Nikpe reiterated that the focus is on the geographical significance of Accra and international practices, rather than political agendas. 'We are not doing this to cause pain or harm to anyone. We are simply looking at the geographical importance of Accra and practices elsewhere in the world,' he noted.
The government, through the Ministry of Transport, is in the process of preparing a bill to officially rename the airport. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga announced at a press conference that the bill will soon be presented to Parliament. The proposed change comes 59 years after Ghana's main international airport was named Kotoka International Airport (KIA).