From Kotoka Back to Accra? The Controversy Over Ghana’s Airport Identity

A major identity shift is looming over Ghana's premier gateway. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the majority in parliament announced a proposed bill to strip the name of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka from the country's main international airport and revert it to its original title: Accra International Airport.

The announcement, made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga ahead of Parliament’s sitting, has ignited a fierce national debate about history, branding, and regional pride. According to the Majority Leader, the upcoming "Accra International Airport Bill" is designed to reflect "Ghana’s democratic values" and ensure national symbols are "guided by the will of the people".

But to understand why this change is so controversial, we have to look back at how the name "Kotoka" ended up on the terminal in the first place.

The controversy around the renaming of Ghana's international airport.

The History: How We Got Here

The facility didn't start as a monument to a general. It began as a military airbase for the British Royal Air Force during World War II.

In 1956, Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, launched a major project to convert the military base into a civilian terminal. When completed in 1958, it was officially named Accra International Airport.

The narrative changed violently in the late 1960s.

• 1966: Lt. Gen. Kotoka led the coup that overthrew Nkrumah.

• 1967: Kotoka was killed during a failed counter-coup attempt at the very spot that is now the airport’s forecourt.

• 1969: The ruling military government passed the General Kotoka Trust Decree, officially renaming the facility Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to honour him as a "national hero" and "liberator".

For over 50 years, the name has stuck. Now, the government wants to make a "U-turn".

The Government’s View: Law, Will, and Identity

Before diving into the public debate, it is crucial to understand the government's official stance. According to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the decision is part of broader efforts to reflect "Ghana’s democratic values and national identity in public institutions". The government argues that decisions regarding national monuments must be "grounded in law and guided by the will of the people". The change is also presented as a gesture of respect to the people of Accra (the Ga people), the original custodians who provided the land for the airport's construction.

The Public Debate

The 2026 proposal has split public opinion into two distinct camps.

a. The Pro-Change Argument: Standardization and Democracy

Support for the change isn't just coming from the government. Dr. Hassan Ayariga, leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has thrown his weight behind the bill, citing global branding standards.

"In many countries, for instance in Germany, the airports are named after the names of the cities," Dr. Ayariga argued on Joy FM. His logic is simple: international travelers know "Accra" as the capital, but they don't know the history of "Kotoka." He believes using the city name gives a "broader perspective" for tourism than an individual’s name.Furthermore, civil society groups like Democracy Hub argue that maintaining the name of a coup plotter on a key national monument is a contradiction. They believe a stable democracy should not honor a man primarily known for overthrowing a constitutional government.

b. The Anti-Change Argument: Erasure and Politics

On the other side of the aisle, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has condemned the move as a political attack.

He argues that removing Kotoka's name is an "indictment" on the opposition NDC and a specific blow to the Volta Region. Afenyo-Markin points out that Kotoka is one of the few national figures from the Volta Region honoured on a major monument. "This is the only thing the people of the Volta Region can point to as recognizing heroism from the area, and even that is being taken away," he stated.

Finally, some Ghanaians feel the timing is wrong. With economic challenges persisting, critics view the renaming as a "misplaced priority," urging the government to focus on relief for citizens rather than symbolic changes.

What Happens Next?

As the Accra International Airport Bill heads to Parliament, the debate is set to intensify. Will the House vote for democratic idealism, or will they vote to preserve historical legacy and regional representation?

For now, the sign still reads Kotoka, but the days of that era-defining name may be numbered.