Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, has defended the government’s decision to rename the Kotoka International Airport.
The Transport Minister highlighted that the Mahama government’s decision is not politically motivated, arguing that renaming the airport is of significant importance to the Ghanaian people.
He explained that the government decision to just restore the airport’s original name, Accra International Airport, given by Ghana’s first presiednt Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking during a working visit to the State Transport Company (STC) terminal in Accra, Joseph Bukari Nikpe stated, “Parliament will be expected to pass a lot of bills, and as part of the government’s agenda, we have a lot of bills from the Ministry of Transport, and one of them is the renaming of the Kotoka International Airport to its original name.
Renaming the airport to Accra International Airport is of significant importance to the Ghanaian people and, for that matter, the African personality. We are not doing this with any political thinking. We are doing this to come from a very neutral point of view.”
The Transport minister further cited historical context, saying, “We will remember that around 1946, the British Royal Air Force used that place as an air force base to carry people to war and other activities”.
He explained, “That was the time Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was at the helm of affairs. He retooled, revamped, and redeveloped the air force base into a civilian passenger airport, and at that time, the name was Accra International Airport”.
The Minister added, “We have all accepted that Accra is our capital city. It is rich in culture and also has a locational identity. Everybody, especially in the West Africa sub-region, knows that the struggle for independence had a lot to do with Accra.”
“Renaming the airport to Accra International Airport is of significant importance to the Ghanaian people and, for that matter, the African personality,” he stated.
“For the fact that the name was changed to honour somebody in his role in the 1966 coup, we feel that that history is not what Ghanaians would want to hear,” he said.
“The airport had an original name given by the first President. We should go back to that. Kwame Nkrumah himself, wherever his spirit may be, will remember that when he comes home, it will be to his original Accra International Airport,” he said.
Meanwhile, renowned legal scholar and governance advocate, Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has said renaming Kotoka International Airport is costly and unwarranted.
He argued that the Airport’s name is firmly embedded in global aviation systems, international treaties, maps, branding, and digital platforms, which would make any attempt to change it a costly and complex exercise.
Kwaku Azar stated, “Renaming KIA now would incur significant administrative, financial, and symbolic costs without improving operational efficiency, safety, or economic growth”.
“Kotoka International Airport is already recognised globally. Stability and predictability are assets in aviation. Changing its name now risks confusion and unnecessary costs, with no measurable benefit to the country,” Prof Asare stated.
He added, “While the intent may be symbolic, the practical consequences are real. Policymakers must weigh the economic and operational costs before pursuing such initiatives”.
See the post below:
Renaming Kotoka International Airport to its original name; Accra International Airport is not a political decision… – Joseph Bukari Nikpe (Transport Minister)#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/SneE3RorX5
— Serwaa Amihere, Esq (@Serwaa_Amihere) February 4, 2026