The government has reverted the name of the Kotoka International Airport to its original designation, Accra International Airport.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Transport in Accra yesterday said the decision followed considerations that the airport’s former name better aligned with its historical and global recognition.
“The facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before its redesignation. The government has considered it appropriate to restore the airport to its former and internationally recognised name,” it said.
Operations unaffected
The Transport Ministry assured the public, stakeholders and international partners that the change would not affect airport operations, safety standards or international travel arrangements.
It explained that within the records of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport code had remained “ACC”, indicating that the renaming would not alter existing aviation identifiers used globally.
The implementation process, the statement emphasised, would involve the systematic update of official documentation, statutory instruments where necessary, airport signage, digital platforms, aviation publications and related communication materials.
The Transport Ministry, therefore, called on the general public, stakeholders and international partners to support and cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
It further expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued cooperation as the changes take effect.
Background
The name “Kotoka International Airport” has long been a source of national debate because it honours Lt General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a senior military officer involved in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Incidentally, today, February 24, 2026, marks exactly 60 years of the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.
The airport, originally opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport, was renamed in Kotoka’s honour in 1969 — three years after Lt Gen. Kotoka was killed during an attempted counter-coup at the site now forming the airport forecourt.
Critics of the name have argued that commemorating a coup figure on the country’s principal gateway sends the wrong message about Ghana’s democratic values and glosses over uncomfortable chapters of its political history.
Supporters of the reversion contend that returning to Accra International Airport would correct a historical anomaly and reflect national identity more neutrally, while preserving Kotoka’s legacy in other ways.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
