Former Secretary to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Nana Bediatuo Asante, has spoken against calls to rename the Kotoka International Airport, insisting that the name represents freedom and liberty in Ghana’s history.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, he said there was no compelling justification for changing the airport’s name unless Ghanaians no longer wish to uphold and pass on the values of freedom of speech, assembly and the press to future generations.
According to him, Kotoka International Airport has borne that name for over 60 years and has evolved into a global brand closely associated with Ghana.
He noted that even governments aligned with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) did not alter the name when they were in power, suggesting that the issue was not previously regarded as divisive.
“If that is what the government wants to do, that is okay. But in a democracy, freedom is essential. Unless we no longer value freedom of speech, assembly and the press, which are foundational to any society, there is no reason to change it. I believe this is what Kotoka represents. It has stood for 60 years. Those pushing for a change are the ones creating division. Even when CPP governments were in power, they left it unchanged,” he said.
Nana Bediatuo Asante cautioned against viewing Kotoka solely through the prism of the 1966 coup, arguing that such an approach oversimplifies Ghana’s history.
He stressed that acknowledging General Kotoka’s role in overthrowing Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, does not diminish Nkrumah’s legacy.
According to him, attempts to rename the airport risk reopening old wounds and stirring unnecessary division, noting that Kotoka’s symbolism of freedom and liberty outweighs renewed historical contestation.
“Nkrumah was human, and acknowledging that Kotoka sought to overthrow him does not diminish his legacy. We should not suggest to the world that Nkrumah was a saint. It is more important for Kotoka to be recognised as a symbol of freedom and liberty in our country than to focus solely on the overthrow,” he said.
He added that if Ghanaians truly value freedom and liberty as the lifeblood of a democratic society, there is no justification for altering a name that has long represented the country to the world.
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