Dr Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta Regional Commissioner at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has strongly opposed a reported move by the Majority Leader and the Ministry of Transport to rename Kotoka International Airport as Accra International Airport, describing the proposal as a misplaced priority that offers no real economic benefit to the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dr Apetorgbor said the plan should be resisted in the national interest, especially at a time when Ghana is facing fiscal pressures and competing development needs.
“As Volta Regional Commissioner to the National Development Planning Commission, I must state, clearly and firmly, that this proposal represents a misplaced policy priority and must be resisted in the national interest,” he said.
His comments come amid reports that the government, through the Ministry of Transport, is preparing to lay a bill before Parliament to effect the proposed name change. The move has already sparked public debate, with critics questioning its relevance in the current economic climate.
Dr Apetorgbor argued that naming international airports after prominent national figures is a common global practice and does not affect performance or competitiveness. Drawing on his international experience, he said such names often reflect history, identity, and national purpose.
“A change in name does not improve operational performance, reduce costs, expand routes, or increase passenger or cargo volumes. It delivers no measurable economic benefit,” he stated.
He stressed that international airports are strategic economic assets whose value lies in efficiency, safety, connectivity, and cost competitiveness, rather than symbolism.
According to him, Ghana’s aviation sector would benefit more from investments in infrastructure, safety systems, and service delivery than from rebranding exercises.
Dr Apetorgbor also raised concerns about the potential cost of renaming the airport, including expenses for administrative processes, digital systems, and international aviation databases. He warned that such spending could divert scarce resources from more urgent priorities.
“At a time of fiscal strain, rising public debt, and intense pressure on public investment, the absence of any clearly defined economic justification makes this proposal deeply concerning,” he noted.
Kotoka International Airport, located in Accra, is Ghana’s main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in West Africa. Named after General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the airport has long been at the centre of political and historical debates.
In recent years, successive governments have invested heavily in expanding and modernising the facility, including the construction of Terminal 3, to position Accra as a regional aviation hub.
Against this background, Dr Apetorgbor questioned the timing and relevance of the proposed name change, arguing that it could undermine stability and predictability in the aviation sector.
“Stability and predictability are assets in global air transport. Ghana should focus on efficiency, service quality, and commercial competitiveness,” he said.
He further called on Members of Parliament from the Volta Region, traditional leaders, diaspora groups, and residents to oppose the proposal. He also urged the wider public to demand what he described as “policy discipline and economic seriousness” from political leaders.
According to him, meaningful reforms in the aviation sector should focus on lowering operating costs, expanding cargo and logistics capacity, and strengthening Accra’s position as a West African hub.
“National development is driven by performance, competitiveness, and results, not by changes in designation,” Dr Apetorgbor added.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
