Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has said government harbours no personal issues with General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka but believes Ghana’s history must be told in full, a key reason behind the decision to restore Kotoka International Airport to its original name, Accra International Airport.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Nikpe explained that the bill to effect the name change is currently before Parliament and will be subjected to full debate by lawmakers.
“We don’t have anything against Kotoka. But the history of the nation must not be told in pieces. That is why a decision has been taken to restore the airport to its original name, Accra International Airport,” he stated.
The Minister acknowledged that while Kotoka had positive attributes as a soldier, government’s main focus is on redeveloping and retooling the airport to meet increasing operational demands.
He revealed that a Hajj village is currently under construction to decongest the airport and improve services for pilgrims.
Mr. Nikpe admitted that the rebranding exercise would come with some cost but stressed that Accra is already a globally recognised name, making the transition less expensive than introducing an entirely new brand.
“In terms of expenses, any project has to start somewhere, and when it involves history, there will inevitably be costs. If you are rebranding a name that is not widely recognised, you may spend significantly more. However, ‘Accra’ is a name known globally,” he explained.
He expressed confidence that a majority of Ghanaians support the move to restore the airport’s original name in order to set the historical record straight.
Mr. Nikpe added that Parliament will have the final say on the matter, emphasising that the initiative is grounded in national history rather than political considerations.
“As we prepare to present this to Parliament, we hope members will take the opportunity to carefully review it. There are many opinions on this matter, and those in favour are numerous. Our engagement with Parliament is crucial to restoring the airport’s original name, as this history is important to us as Ghanaians,” he said.
READ ALSO:
