Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has shared his thoughts on the government’s plan to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport, urging that any such decision must have a strong national justification.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Accra on Wednesday, February 4, the award-winning musician acknowledged that the airport’s current proposal is not entirely new.
“It used to be called Accra International Airport anyway, so when the name goes back, for whatever reason, I would believe that the reasons are clear, the reasons are politically accurate, and are very nationalistic—I would believe so,” he said.
Stonebwoy stressed that a name change should come with tangible benefits for the country and enhance Ghana’s international image. “But should this change and it doesn’t reflect any upliftment, then I think I wouldn’t side with that. But if it’s going to reflect upliftment and uplift a positive narrative about this nation, I’m for that.”
He also drew attention to his personal connection with General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, the current namesake of the airport, who hails from his hometown of Alakple. Stonebwoy acknowledged the complexities of Kotoka’s historical legacy, including his role in the 1966 coup against Kwame Nkrumah.
“Kotoka is actually from my hometown. I’m from Alakple. Anybody who knows the right history knows that General Kotoka comes from Alakple, my actual hometown. And history will tell us how he participated in the coup d’état that would have dethroned Kwame Nkrumah. So that’s the narrative that has been tagged around him for the name change of the airport.”
While some question whether Kotoka’s legacy is one the nation should honour, Stonebwoy called for a balanced perspective.
“So there’s a school of thought that insists that he does not represent a good statue for the state. I think that is the reason. I don’t want to dig into it too much because I don’t believe that one human being can be so evil all his life. There must be some good aspects. So, the fact that he got to be named after the airport may be because of his good deeds. You know what I’m saying? So if it has to be changed, then let it be changed for another good reason.”
His insights add a personal and thoughtful voice to the wider national debate over renaming Ghana’s principal international gateway, a conversation that touches on history, identity, and symbolism.
Source:
www.zionfelix.net
