Kennedy Osei Nyarko, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transportation Committee, has pushed back firmly against the government’s proposal to rename Kotoka International Airport, describing the plan as misplaced and economically unjustified.
Reacting to the announcement by the Majority Leader, the Akyem Swedru MP questioned the purpose of the move and warned that it risks dragging a long-standing national facility into partisan politics.
“What will be the relevance and the economic impact of this exercise in changing the name of KIA?” he asked in a Facebook post on February 3, 2026.
Osei Nyarko pointed out that the airport’s name has remained unchanged across multiple administrations and political systems, including periods of military rule, arguing that this continuity reflects its status as a unifying national institution rather than a political symbol.
He cautioned that frequent political interventions in national heritage could deepen divisions rather than foster unity.
“Government should not overly politicise everything in this country to the extent of trying to rename an airport that has served generations,” he stated.
The lawmaker went further to suggest that the proposed renaming diminishes the legacy of Ghana’s historical figures and the sacrifices made in building the nation.
“I see this as a travesty of the contributions of our forefathers who laid down their lives and wholeheartedly served this nation,” he said.
In an appeal directed at the presidency, Osei Nyarko urged the government to reconsider the initiative, stressing the need to prioritise harmony and national stability.
“I urge the President and his government to immediately abort this planned agenda and let peace reign,” he added.
His comments come in response to remarks by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who confirmed that the Minister of Transport will soon introduce legislation to change the name of Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport.
“We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. A bill will be brought by the Minister for Transport to facilitate this change. The Accra International Airport Bill will also come,” Ayariga said.
Osei Nyarko maintained that decisions of such national significance should be driven by public consensus and anchored firmly in law, rather than political sentiment.
