By Deborah Pofara Luu
A heated debate has erupted on social media between two respected legal scholars, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare and H. Kwasi Prempeh, over the proposed renaming of Kotoka International Airport.
This follows a lawsuit filed by the Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) on February 24, 2025, reigniting debates about Ghana’s historical memory and national identity.
The plaintiffs argue that naming Ghana’s international airport after Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew President Kwame Nkrumah, contradicts the democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
They assert that retaining the name symbolises state endorsement of unconstitutional actions.
The case has sparked a social media debate between legal scholars Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare and H. Kwasi Prempeh.
Prof. Asare questioned the logic of renaming places linked to coup leaders while leaving institutions named after Nkrumah, who established a one-party state in 1964.
“Why does KNUST still bear his name?” he asked, warning against selective historical revisionism.
In response, Prempeh argued that coups are inherently unconstitutional, unlike Nkrumah’s one-party state, which was legally established at the time.
Prof. Asare further contended that Kotoka’s legacy should not be solely defined by the coup but also by his valour in other contexts.
However, Prempeh emphasised that Kotoka’s identity is inseparable from his role in overthrowing constitutional rule, whereas Nkrumah’s legacy spans broader governance achievements.
While some call for renaming the airport to reflect democratic values, others caution against setting precedents that could lead to selective erasure of historical figures.
