Omanghana
The Government of Ghana has officially announced plans to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport, marking a significant policy and historical shift.
According to the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Transport is expected to present the Accra International Airport Bill to Parliament today, February 3, 2026, to provide the legal framework for the proposed change.
Government officials say the renaming is intended to better reflect Ghana’s democratic values and national identity. For years, critics have questioned the appropriateness of naming the country’s main international gateway after General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 military coup, arguing that it conflicts with Ghana’s present-day democratic ideals.
If approved, the change would restore the airport’s original name. The facility was first known as Accra International Airport when it opened in 1958, before being renamed in 1969 in honor of General Kotoka.
The proposal forms part of a broader legislative agenda on transport reforms, which also includes the Road Traffic Bill aimed at regulating commercial motorcycle operations, commonly known as okada.
The announcement has reignited public debate. While some opposition figures and civil society groups support the renaming, others have previously proposed alternative names, such as Kwame Nkrumah International Airport, in recognition of Ghana’s first president and founding leader.
Source: Omanghana
