The ranking member of Parliament’s transport committee, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has questioned the government’s decision to rename Kotoka International Airport in Accra, arguing that although he does not oppose the move in principle, it is poorly timed and not a national priority.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (4 February), the New Patriotic Party MP said his objection is not ideological but practical, insisting that Ghana faces more urgent economic and social challenges which deserve immediate attention.
“In principle, I don’t have any problem if the government of the day has decided to rename the facility,” he said. “But my question is: what is the importance of renaming the place at this moment?
“Is it the most important thing to the government?”
Osei Nyarko’s comments come amid debate over plans to change the name of Ghana’s main international airport, with supporters arguing the country should not honour a figure associated with a military coup, while critics say the issue distracts from pressing national concerns.
Osei Nyarko maintained that the airport’s current name carries a historical significance tied to Ghana’s political evolution, and should not be dismissed lightly.
“Our forefathers did not just wake up one day and name that place Kotoka International Airport,” he said. “There was an event that took place, and that event ushered the country into a certain political dispensation. It is part of our history.”
Osei Nyarko argued that national monuments serve as reminders of the country’s past – both its achievements and its mistakes – and help guide future generations.
“A nation that forgets its history will perish,” he added. “It reminds us of where we have come from and why we must not repeat certain things.”
All change … at a price
The MP also expressed anxiety about the financial implications of deciding to rename such a major national facility, noting that signage, documentation, branding and related systems would all have to be changed.
“The cost involved is going to be very severe. Who is going to bear that cost?” Osei Nyarko asked. “If we have that money, why not use it to do something very important that will benefit the nation?”
Osei Nyarko argued that many Ghanaians are struggling with the high cost of living and would prefer that the government direct its attention towards economic relief, rather than symbolic changes.
“People are struggling to make ends meet. The [cost] of living is expensive. I don’t think this should occupy the entire nation at this moment,” he said.
While acknowledging that cabinet has the authority to make such decisions, Osei Nyarko said the move to rename the country’s first international airport is unlikely to deliver tangible economic benefits.
“It is the right of the government. If they want to change it, that is their decision. But I don’t think it will bring any economic benefit to this country,” he said.
The debate about Kotoka International Airport’s name has intensified in recent weeks, with some legal and policy experts arguing that maintaining monuments linked to coup-era figures conflicts with Ghana’s democratic values.
Others contend that historical symbols should be maintained to preserve the nation’s collective memory.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
