The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Nii Moi Thompson, has endorsed the government’s decision to rename Kotoka International Airport, describing the move as appropriate and long overdue.
The Government, on February 23, officially reverted the facility’s name to Accra International Airport, restoring what authorities say was its original designation before it was renamed.
In a statement issued the same day, the Ministry of Transport (Ghana) explained that the airport had historically been known as Accra International Airport and that restoring the internationally recognised name was justified.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson said the decision aligns with long-standing advocacy by the Convention People’s Party.
“It is the right decision the government finally made. The Convention People’s Party had always advocated that,” he said.
Dr. Thompson noted that while some people had proposed naming the airport after Kwame Nkrumah, he personally believed such a move was unnecessary.
“Some people had said it should be named after Nkrumah, but personally, I wasn’t in favour of it. I think Nkrumah, to a large extent, is synonymous with Ghana. Nkrumah doesn’t really need an airport named after him,” he stated.
Dr. Thompson’s comments have added momentum to the broader national conversation about historical memory and the naming of public monuments.
The airport had previously been named after Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 Ghana coup d’état that removed President Nkrumah from office.
The renaming debate has therefore revived discussions about how Ghana commemorates historical figures and events.
Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry has assured the public that the change will not affect airport operations, safety standards, or international travel arrangements.
Authorities noted that within the records of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the airport’s code has always remained “ACC.”
Officials explained that the renaming process will be carried out gradually to ensure a smooth transition. This will involve updating official documentation, making necessary amendments to statutory instruments, changing airport signage, and revising digital platforms, aviation publications, and other communication materials.
Authorities emphasised that the changes will be implemented systematically to avoid any disruptions to aviation services or international travel arrangements.