The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has openly backed the government’s plan to rename Kotoka International Airport, calling the move both necessary and overdue.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the minister said the proposal goes beyond symbolism and reflects a broader effort to realign Ghana’s national identity with its history and values.
“This is a welcome and long-overdue step. It is time we reclaim our national symbols to reflect our values and heritage,” he wrote.
Armah-Kofi Buah argued that retaining the current name of the country’s main international airport contradicts Ghana’s historical narrative, noting that the figure it honours is linked to the overthrow of the nation’s first president.
“We cannot continue to name our premier international gateway, a symbol of national pride and our first welcome to the world, after a figure associated with the violent and unconstitutional overthrow of our nation’s founder, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah,” he stated.
He explained that the proposed change to Accra International Airport would help promote national cohesion and remove political division from a key national landmark.
“Renaming it to Accra International Airport is a move toward neutrality, unity, and a forward-looking national identity,” he added.
The minister’s comments follow an earlier disclosure by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, who confirmed that government is preparing legislation to formalise the name change.
According to Ayariga, the Minister of Transport will soon present a bill before Parliament to replace Kotoka International Airport with Accra International Airport. He made this known while speaking to journalists ahead of the first sitting of the Second Session of the 9th Parliament on Tuesday.
The proposal has since sparked public debate, with supporters framing it as historical correction while critics question the timing and broader implications of the decision.
