The government has announced plans to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport, a decision that is expected to spark national conversation when Parliament resumes.
The announcement was made during a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga revealed that the change will be carried out through legislation to be presented by the Minister for Transport.
“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 for the name to be changed,” Mr Ayariga stated.
The proposed renaming follows years of advocacy from civil society groups and sections of the public who argue that the current name does not align with Ghana’s democratic ideals. Kotoka International Airport is named after General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, one of the principal actors in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first government — a legacy critics say should no longer be honoured.
According to the Majority Leader, the renaming is part of a wider set of legislative priorities expected to be introduced when Parliament reconvenes. If approved, the change would mark a symbolic shift in how Ghana reflects its history and democratic values in national institutions.
As the bill makes its way to Parliament, public debate is likely to intensify over history, memory, and the symbols that define the nation.
