L–R: Kotoka, the mastermind of Nkrumah’s coup, wanted him to be made President of Ghana again
The proposal by the government to introduce a bill in Parliament to change the name of the country’s main international airport, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), is currently the main topic of discussion among the general public.
The Kotoka International Airport, Ghana’s main point of entry and exit to the world, is named after a very controversial figure, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, who was the mastermind of the coup d’état which ousted Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
What many did not know is that just a year after masterminding Nkrumah’s overthrow, Kotoka started harbouring some regrets, which cost him his life.
According to historian and lawyer Anokye Frimpong, Kotoka, a year after the coup, realised that the junta had achieved nothing and advocated that changes be made.
He indicated that in less than two months after Kotoka’s appeal, there was a supposed attempt to remove the NLC government, and he was the only person who was killed in the failed coup.
“From 1966 to 1972, when he (Nkrumah) died, we were not able to build even one of the factories he built. The airport he built, the universities, hospitals and roads — we were not able to add anything to them.
“So, this was the reason why, a year after the coup, Kotoka told his colleagues that, ‘We thought Nkrumah was corrupt, and we took money from the CIA to remove him. But for a whole year, we have been able to achieve nothing. If you had given Nkrumah one year, he would have done a lot. So, if it is possible, let’s call him back and give the nation back to him,’” he narrated.
He added, “This did not sit well with his people. He said this in February. Two months after his statement, on 17th April, there was an abortive coup, and Kotoka was killed. Among all the leaders of the National Liberation Council, it was only Kotoka who was killed.”
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He asserted that the fact that it was only Kotoka, who was then the commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, points clearly to the fact that his advocacy for Nkrumah to be brought back cost him his life.
Watch a video of Anokye Frimpong’s remarks below:
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com
