The government of Ghana has revealed plans to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport, a move that signals a potential shift in how one of the country’s most iconic landmarks is identified.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, by Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader in Parliament, during a media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament. He stated that the government intends to change the name through legislation, with the Minister for Transport expected to lay a bill before Parliament to effect the change legally.
Ayariga explained that the renaming is part of broader efforts to align national symbols with Ghana’s democratic values and identity. He noted that the decision must be grounded in law and reflect the will of the people once debated by lawmakers.
The proposal is expected to spark public discussion, given the historical significance of the current name, which honours Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a figure involved in Ghana’s 1966 coup d’état. Critics have long argued that a democratic nation’s primary international gateway should not bear the name of a military leader.
Supporters of the renaming argue that a more neutral and nationally representative name like Accra International Airport could better reflect Ghana’s democratic aspirations and unity, while opponents may view the change as unnecessary or politically motivated. Parliament is expected to deliberate on the Transport Ministry’s bill once formally presented.
