The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has dismissed claims that the decision to rename the country’s main international airport will impose a significant financial burden on the state.
His comments follow the government’s move to officially revert Kotoka International Airport to its former name, Accra International Airport.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 23, the Ministry of Transport explained that the facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before it was redesignated. The Ministry noted that restoring the airport’s former and internationally recognised name was appropriate.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Mr. Nikpe said concerns about potential costs were misplaced, stressing that international aviation codes associated with Ghana remain unchanged.
He explained that key global aviation bodies have maintained Ghana’s existing country and airport codes despite the name change over the years.
“The good news is that all these organisations that regulate aviation in Ghana have not changed the country code since the name was altered from Accra to Kotoka. The International Civil Aviation Organisation still maintains the country code DGAA, and the International Air Transport Association also retains the ACC code,” he said.
According to him, because the internationally recognised codes remain the same, there will be no need for changes at the global level.
“There is nothing to change internationally. The only changes required are signage and billboards within the country,” he noted.
Mr Nikpe further indicated that the airport’s existing vendors, who already handle the production of official materials such as letterheads and stamps, would simply adjust the name accordingly.
“It is not a new contract. The same vendors who produce the airport’s letterheads and stamps will update them to reflect the new name. So, what high cost are we talking about?” he queried.
He added that ongoing renovation and redevelopment works at the airport would further limit any additional expense.
“We are already renovating and redeveloping parts of the airport to improve operations. Some of the old signage would have been replaced anyway. The new signage will now bear the restored name. Even if there is some cost, it is not something we should be overly concerned about,” he stated.
The Minister maintained that reverting to Accra International Airport would not impose any substantial financial burden on the state.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com