By our reporter 3.2.2026
The Ghanaian Parliament is making moves to rename the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
This followed agitations by concerned citizens who had frowned at the naming of the Accra airport after Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a major player in the coup that ousted Ghana first President Kwame Nkruma 1966 and threw the country into a chain of military coups.
According to Mahama Ayariga the Parliament majority leader there are plans to rename the airport since the name Kotoka does not reflect the democratic values treasured by the country that has remain politically stable for over three decades.
He noted that bills and regulations are expected to come before the House during the current session, adding that the Minister for Transport will present the bill to seek parliamentary approval for the proposed change.
“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 for the name to be changed,” Hon Ayariga stated.
Lt Colonel Kotoka and his bosom friend Major Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa were the masterminds of the February 24, 19966 coup code named “Operation Cold Chop”, which swept away the democratically elected President Nkruma.
Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party had sued at the Supreme Court to remove “Kotoka” from the airport. They argued that honouring Kotoka contradicted Ghana’s democratic values.