Economist Dr George Domfe has criticised ongoing discussions about renaming the Kotoka International Airport, arguing that the focus is misplaced at a time when Ghana is grappling with serious economic challenges.
This come amid government plans to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. The proposal has generated public debate, with differing views on its historical, political, and cultural implications.
Speaking on the matter on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday February 7, Dr Domfe stressed that Ghana’s pressing economic difficulties should take priority over debates about renaming national infrastructure.
“We have fundamental economic problems and this is the time to think about it. This is not the time to waste away thinking about what should be the name of the international airport,” he added.
But Dr Domfe described General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka as a symbol of justice, freedom, peace, equity, and democracy, insisting that his name should remain attached to the country’s main international airport.
He said Ghana’s current democratic space can be traced to the events that led to the overthrow of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
According to him, had Nkrumah remained in power after declaring himself life president, Ghana might still be under one-man rule today.
Dr Domfe argued that the 1966 coup, in which General Kotoka played a leading role, laid the foundation for the democratic governance Ghanaians enjoy today.
“Some of us also see Kotoka as a man of justice, a man of freedom, a man of peace, a man of equity, a man of democracy. The true democracy. What we are experiencing today started with Kotoka because if Nkrumah after declaring himself as life president and assuming he was going to live for the rest of the life of this planet, it means that today we will still be having him as our head of state. The name Kotoka should remain,” Dr Domfe said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe has defended the planned renaming, insisting that the move is not politically motivated. He explained that the facility originally served as an air force base during the Second World War before being converted into a civilian airport under the administration of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and named Accra International Airport.
According to the minister, the renaming is intended to restore the airport’s original identity and promote the location identity of Ghana’s capital city. He said the proposal forms part of a broader legislative agenda of the Ministry of Transport and will be presented to Parliament for approval.
“Renaming the airport to Accra International Airport is of significant importance to the Ghanaian people and, for that matter, the African personality. We are not doing this with any political thinking. We are doing this to come from a very neutral point of view,” Mr Nikpe stated.
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