Renaming Kotoka International Airport: Why Ghana’s Main Gateway Should Honor Unifying Historical Figures

A significant debate is unfolding in Ghana concerning the name of the nation’s primary international gateway: Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra. At the center of this discourse is a compelling argument from political historians that the airport’s name should celebrate figures who embody national unity and democratic progress, rather than commemorating individuals associated with the overthrow of constitutional governments. This perspective, notably championed by Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), frames the renaming not as an erasure of history, but as a deliberate choice to align Ghana’s most prominent public infrastructure with the values it aspires to project on the global stage.

Introduction: The Symbolism of a Nation’s Gateway

The name of a country’s main international airport is far more than a logistical label. It serves as a symbolic handshake with the world, a first and last impression that communicates a nation’s identity, its cherished values, and its understanding of its own history. For Ghana, a nation with a profound and complex historical narrative—from the powerful pre-colonial empires through the trauma of the transatlantic slave trade to the pioneering struggle for independence and subsequent political turbulence—the name of its busiest airport carries exceptional weight. Currently known as Kotoka International Airport, named after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, the facility’s moniker is intrinsically linked to one of the most divisive events in post-independence Ghanaian history: the 1966 coup d’état that overthrew the government of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

This article explores the scholarly and civic argument for renaming KIA. It examines the historical context of General Kotoka’s legacy, delves into the principles of commemorative naming, considers alternative honorees, and analyzes the broader implications of such a decision for Ghana’s national narrative and international image. The core thesis is that Ghana’s greatest airport should be renamed to honor historical figures whose legacies foster unity, reflect democratic ideals, and inspire future generations, thereby transforming a point of contention into a powerful symbol of reconciliation and aspirational identity.

Key Points: The Core Argument for Renaming

The call to rename Kotoka International Airport is built on several interconnected pillars:

• Symbolic Alignment with Democratic Values: Public infrastructure names should reflect and reinforce a society’s core democratic principles, not undermine them.
• Historical Reckoning vs. Celebration: There is a critical distinction between studying history in all its complexity and publicly celebrating figures associated with the undemocratic overthrow of a constitutional government.
• National Unity Over Division: Names that are sources of regional, ethnic, or ideological division undermine social cohesion. A unifying name can serve as a common point of pride.
• Inspiration for Future Generations: The name should inspire youth with examples of achievement in nation-building, cultural preservation, science, and peaceful political transition.
• International Precedent: Many nations rename airports and other landmarks to reflect evolving historical understanding and values.

Background: The Legacy of Emmanuel Kotoka and the 1966 Coup

Emmanuel Kotoka: Soldier and Coup Leader

Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (1926-1967) was a career soldier in the Ghana Army. He is historically remembered primarily as the principal leader of the National Liberation Council (NLC) coup that deposed Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP) government on February 24, 1966. The coup, which occurred while Nkrumah was on a state visit to China and Vietnam, was justified by the plotters on grounds of economic mismanagement, authoritarianism, and the threat of a one-party state. Kotoka and his colleagues immediately assumed power, ruling Ghana until another coup in 1969.

Kotoka’s role is viewed through profoundly divergent lenses. To some, particularly within certain military and political circles of the era, he was a patriot who acted to save Ghana from a deteriorating situation. To many others, especially staunch supporters of Nkrumah’s vision of Pan-Africanism and socialist development, he was a regressive figure who derailed Ghana’s revolutionary post-colonial trajectory. His death in a subsequent military uprising in 1967 further cemented his complex legacy as both a decisive actor and a victim of the volatile political environment he helped create.

The 1966 Coup’s Place in Ghanaian Historical Memory

The 1966 coup set a dangerous precedent. It inaugurated a period of political instability characterized by alternating military and civilian governments, with coups occurring in 1966, 1969, 1972, 1979 (twice), and 1981. This era, ending with the 1992 Constitution and the Fourth Republic, left deep scars on Ghana’s democratic culture. Celebrating a coup leader, even one with other accomplishments, is therefore seen by many historians and civil society as a tacit endorsement of the unconstitutional seizure of power—a practice Ghana has painstakingly worked to overcome for the past three decades. The current constitutional order, which has seen peaceful transfers of power between rival parties multiple times, is a source of immense national pride and regional prestige. Naming the country’s foremost international gateway after a coup leader appears, to critics, incongruous with this hard-won democratic stability.

Analysis: The Principles of Commemorative Naming

Professor Adu-Gyamfi’s intervention places the debate within a broader framework of how societies choose to memorialize their past. His assertion that “naming public institutions is not just symbolic but also reflects history, culture, and societal beliefs” is key. This analysis breaks down the governing principles at stake.

1. The Distinction Between Historical Record and Public Veneration

No one argues for erasing Kotoka from history textbooks. His role in the 1966 events is an undeniable historical fact. The issue is the act of public veneration inherent in naming the nation’s largest and most visible airport after him. This act elevates him to a pantheon of national heroes. The question becomes: does his primary historical act—leading a coup against a constitutionally elected government—merit this highest form of public honor? For a state that now upholds constitutionalism, the symbolic message is deeply conflicted.

2. The Imperative of National Unity

Ghana is a mosaic of diverse ethnic, religious, and regional groups. Public symbols, especially national ones, should strive to be inclusive. Names tied to specific coups or regions can become focal points for grievance. Professor Adu-Gyamfi’s suggestion that names should reflect “heroes and heroines whose legacy unites rather than divides” is a standard applied in many plural societies. The airport’s name should be a banner under which all Ghanaians can stand, not a reminder of a past fracture.

3. Projecting a Modern, Democratic Identity

An airport name is a diplomatic tool. It signals to the world what Ghana chooses to celebrate about itself. In 2024, as Ghana champions democratic governance in West Africa, a name associated with a coup can be a subtle but potent source of cognitive dissonance for international visitors. Renaming could be part of a conscious effort to align all national symbols with the image of a stable, forward-looking democracy.

Practical Advice: Pathways and Considerations for a Renaming Process

If the political will emerges to pursue a renaming, the process must be handled with care to avoid new controversies.

Establish a Transparent, Inclusive Commission

The government should constitute a diverse commission—including historians, political scientists, civil society leaders, traditional rulers (especially from the Ga community, upon whose land Accra and the airport are built), youth representatives, and cultural experts. This body’s mandate would be to solicit public nominations, vet them against clear criteria (contribution to national unity, democratic advancement, socio-economic development, cultural preservation), and present a shortlist to the executive.

Define Clear Criteria for Selection

The criteria must be explicit and public. They could include:

• Demonstrated commitment to Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Significant, lasting contribution to national development, peace, or cultural heritage.
• Legacy that is widely respected across regional and political divides.
• Embodying values of democracy, rule of law, and social justice.
• Preference for figures who have been deceased for a significant period, allowing for fuller historical assessment.

Consider Geographic and Cultural Context

As the airport is located in the Greater Accra Region, honoring a distinguished figure from the Ga people—the indigenous inhabitants—would be a powerful gesture of respect for local history and identity. This could be coupled with a figure of national stature, creating a layered name (e.g., “The [Ga Honoree] – [National Honoree] International Airport”).

Manage Financial and Logistical Transition

Renaming involves significant costs: updating signage, aeronautical charts (with the International Civil Aviation Organization – ICAO), marketing materials, website domains, and legal documents. A phased, well-budgeted plan is essential. The transition period should be used for public education about the new name’s significance.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Q1: Isn’t this erasing history and disrespecting Kotoka’s memory?

A: No. History remains intact in archives, museums, and academic works. This is about which figures a nation chooses to honor and elevate in its most prominent public spaces. Kotoka’s role will still be taught. The question is whether his primary legacy—leading a coup—is the most fitting for the nation’s flagship airport. Many countries have renamed facilities previously associated with controversial figures without erasing them from history.

Q2: What about Kwame Nkrumah? Would naming it after him be equally divisive?

A: Professor Adu-Gyamfi mentions Nkrumah as a potential candidate. While Nkrumah is a globally iconic figure and Ghana’s founding father, his legacy also contains complexities (e.g., the Preventive Detention Act, moves toward a one-party state). However, his overarching contribution to Ghana’s independence and Pan-Africanism is monumental and widely, though not universally, celebrated. A commission would need to weigh whether his legacy is more unifying than Kotoka’s for a 21st-century Ghana. Other figures, perhaps from science, culture, or peace-building, might offer more consensual choices.

Q3: Does the airport’s ICAO code (DGAA) or IATA code (ACC) need to change?

A: No. ICAO and IATA codes are based on geographic location and existing names, not on the commemorative name itself. ACC (for Accra) and DGAA would remain unchanged. The change would affect only the public-facing, ceremonial name used in marketing, signage, and common parlance.

Q4: What legal authority is needed to rename the airport?

A: The airport is a state asset. An executive instrument from the President, following a recommendation from the relevant ministry (Ministry of Transport) and potentially parliamentary ratification, would be the typical legal pathway. There is no known legal barrier, as the power to name public infrastructure rests with the executive branch.

Conclusion: A Name for the Future

The debate over Kotoka International Airport’s name is more than a semantic exercise; it is a profound conversation about Ghana’s historical consciousness and its future aspirations. Professor Adu-Gyamfi and like-minded scholars are not advocating for a simplistic whitewashing of the past. Instead, they are urging a mature, forward-looking choice: to have the name of Ghana’s most important international portal reflect the values of unity, democratic resilience, and positive achievement that the nation has so diligently built since the return to constitutional rule.

Renaming the airport is a symbolic act with substantive power. It can affirm Ghana’s break with the cycle of unconstitutional interventions and boldly declare that its heroes will be those who built, not those who broke. It can honor the rich tapestry of Ghanaian history—including the foundational role of the Ga people, the visionary leadership of independence-era figures, the contributions of scientists, and the quiet work of community builders—without venerating the instruments of its past divisions. In choosing a new name, Ghana has an opportunity to craft a narrative of inclusion and progress that greets every visitor and inspires every citizen. The goal is not to forget the complexities of history, but to consciously select which parts of it we choose to carry forward as the standard-bearers of our national identity.

Sources and Further Reading

• Adu-Gyamfi, S. (Interview with JoyNews). Statements on Kotoka International Airport renaming. (Cited in original Life Pulse Daily article, 2026).
• GhanaWeb. “History of the 1966 Coup that Overthrew Nkrumah.” Various archival reports.
• Boafo-Arthur, K. (Ed.). (2006). Ghana: One Year of the NPP Government. Ashgate Publishing. (Provides context on Ghana’s political transitions).
• Oquaye, M. (1995). Parliament and the People: An Introduction to the Constitution and Politics of Ghana. Ghana Universities Press. (Details constitutional history).
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). “Policy on Location Indicators.” (Clarifies naming and coding protocols for airports).
• South African Government Information. “Naming of Public Entities.” (Example of a national policy framework for renaming, relevant to the South African comparison).
• National Commission on Culture, Ghana. Publications on Ghanaian cultural heritage and the importance of symbolic representation.
• Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992. (Preamble and Chapter on The Directive Principles of State Policy, which speak to national unity and cultural heritage).

Disclaimer: The views and arguments presented in this article are based on the cited historical record, scholarly analysis, and the stated position of Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi as reported. This is an analytical synthesis for informational purposes. The original article source is Life Pulse Daily. The opinions expressed in the original source and this analysis are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any institution.