Political scientist and university lecturer Dr Kwame Asah-Asante has described the proposal to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as “long overdue,” saying the airport’s current name is tied to historical events that continue to evoke strong emotions and that revisiting it is both necessary and timely. His comments came during a discussion on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday evening.
Dr Asah-Asante noted that the name “Kotoka International Airport” brings back memories of the late Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, who was involved in Ghana’s political upheavals in the 1960s. He described that chapter of history as painful for many and said the renaming debate should be seen as part of a broader national reflection on how historical figures are remembered and honoured in public spaces.
According to Dr Asah-Asante, changing the name to Accra International Airport is reasonable and aligns with what many Ghanaians believe should happen at this stage. He said naming the country’s main gateway after the city itself would avoid reopening old wounds while providing a neutral, universally recognized identity for the facility.
He argued that if the airport’s name is to be changed, it should be accompanied by deliberate decisions about how to honour Kotoka in a way that respects history without provoking division. Dr Asah-Asante suggested that alternative forms of commemoration, such as a dedicated monument or memorial, could be considered as part of this process.
His remarks reflect broader public debate that has emerged since the government introduced a bill to Parliament proposing the renaming of KIA. Supporters of the change say renaming the airport will modernize Ghana’s image and foster unity, while critics argue that historical context should be carefully weighed before removing the current name
