The majority leader of Ghana’s 9th Parliament – Hon. Mahama Ayariga, on 3rd February, 2026 announced that, Kotoka International Airport will soon be renamed as Accra International Airport. He made this statement while addressing Journalists ahead of the first sitting of the Second Session of Parliament.
According to the majority leader, the renaming plan is necessary because, it represents a crucial pace to reclaim Ghana’s national symbols to reflect the country’s values, norms and heritage. Also, history made it known that the current name of the Airport which is – Kotoka was associated with a figure (Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka) who had been violent and unconstitutionally overthrowing Ghana’s first President – Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This, in his view cannot continue to be portrayed internationally. Since the premier gateway in Ghana both locally and internationally is the Airport; and therefore must have an appreciable name without strings attached by the general public.
Again he stressed that, a Bill together with the Accra International Airport Bill, will be brought by the Minister for Transport to facilitate the change because such decisions must be grounded in law and guided by the will of the people. So that, the proposed renaming of the Airport, will be known to have passed through legitimate procedures after a thorough public debate and growing calls for change. Similarly, making the “rename” to be legally considered and recognized by all.
Background of the Airport
Historically, the airport which was previously called – Accra International Airport, began as a military facility used by the British Royal Air force during the World War II, but was later handed over to civilian authorities. In which, under former President Kwame Nkrumah in 1956, a development project was also launched to transform the facility into a terminal building. This project then got completed in 1958 where it was converted and structured with capacity to handle about 500,000 passengers annually. However, in 1969, the airport was renamed as Kotoka International Airport in honour of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, who was also member of the National Liberation Council but got killed during his coup attempt at site around the Airport area; now called – the forecourt of the Airport.