By Ashiadey Dotse
The Member of Parliament for Bongo, Charles Bawaduah, says that renaming the Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport will help project Ghana as a strong democracy on the global stage.
Government is planning to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport, with a bill expected from the Transport Minister. This move, reported in February 2026, aims to move away from honoring Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kotoka, who led the 1966 coup, and instead use a neutral, location-based name, sparking national debate. Public opinion is divided, with some backing the proposal while others reject it outright.
Speaking on GTV’s Current Agenda on Saturday, February 7, 2026, lawyer Bawaduah said the name of a country’s main international airport sends a powerful message to the outside world about its values. According to him, Ghana should not be seen as celebrating the overthrow of a democratically elected government.
He explained that around the world, major airports are named after national heroes who played key roles in independence struggles or democratic development. He cited examples from countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal, where airports are named after leaders admired for their contribution to nation-building.
Lawyer Bawaduah argued that naming Ghana’s main airport after General Emmanuel Kotoka, who was involved in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, creates a contradiction. He said Ghana cannot celebrate democracy and at the same time honour a figure associated with the overthrow of an elected government.
The Bongo MP noted that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution calls on citizens to resist coups and protect democratic rule. In his view, using public funds and national assets to honour coup leaders weakens the country’s democratic resolve and sends the wrong signal to both citizens and the international community.
He stressed that the call to rename the airport is not driven by partisan politics but by the need to strengthen democratic values and national identity. According to him, changing the name to Accra International Airport would present Ghana as a country committed to constitutional rule and democratic governance.
Mr. Bawaduah added that national symbols matter and should reflect the principles Ghana stands for, especially at a time when the country is seen as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
