Ghana’s government has officially removed the name of coup leader Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka from the country’s main airport, marking exactly 60 years since the 1966 military overthrow of founding president Kwame Nkrumah.
The airport will now revert to its original name, Accra International Airport, according to the Transport Ministry.
For official updates, visit Ghana’s Transport Ministry website: Here
Why the Name Change Matters
Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka played a leading role in the February 24, 1966 coup that removed Kwame Nkrumah from office. Military authorities later renamed the airport in 1969 to honour him, describing him as a “liberator” from what they considered Nkrumah’s authoritarian rule.
However, critics have long argued that celebrating a coup figure contradicts Ghana’s democratic principles.
Kotoka died in 1967 during a failed counter-coup attempt at the airport.
Government’s Position
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said the government restored the original name to reflect national neutrality and align the airport with the capital city, Accra.
In a statement released Monday, the ministry urged the public and international partners to cooperate with authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
Officials also assured travellers that the name change will not disrupt airport operations, safety standards or international travel.
Political and Regional Reactions
The decision has divided opinion across Ghana.
Civil society groups welcomed the move. They argue that honouring a coup leader undermines constitutional democracy and glorifies unconstitutional power seizures.
President John Mahama, who returned to office after the December 2024 election, has faced growing pressure from activists who support renaming the airport.
However, opposition voices strongly criticise the decision. Parliament’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, described the move as a betrayal of the Volta Region, Kotoka’s home region. He said the airport name represented one of the few national honours recognising the area.
Kotoka’s family has also opposed the change, arguing that it erases his service and historical role.
Public Debate and Economic Concerns
The controversy has spread across social media, with many Ghanaians debating the legal and political implications of renaming a major national landmark.
Some citizens have questioned the timing of the move. They argue that the government should prioritise unemployment, inflation and living conditions instead of symbolic changes.
Historical Context
Before the 1966 coup, critics accused Kwame Nkrumah of consolidating power and restricting political freedoms.
Historians continue to debate the role of foreign powers, particularly the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in the overthrow of Ghana’s first president.
After Nkrumah’s removal, Ghana experienced several coups before restoring multiparty democracy in 1992.
Since then, the country has conducted competitive elections and maintained peaceful transfers of power, earning recognition as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies.
