Ghana’s government has unveiled plans to revert the name of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) back to its original designation, Accra International Airport. Announced by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during a parliamentary press briefing on February 3, 2026, the change aims to align national landmarks with democratic values and Ghana’s independence legacy. The airport, opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport, was renamed in 1969 to honor Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup that ousted Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
A bill from the Minister for Transport will soon be presented to Parliament for approval. This move follows years of advocacy from civil society, including calls from Nkrumah’s daughter, Samia Nkrumah, who argued the name sends the wrong signal about Ghana’s history. Supporters see it as promoting unity, while critics like MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah label it a “waste of taxpayers’ money” due to rebranding costs. The proposal has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many praising the neutrality of “Accra.”
