Anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem has urged the government to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in honour of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President. He argues that national monuments should celebrate leaders who laid the foundation for Ghana’s independence and development. In an interview with Citi News on Tuesday, July 16, Mr. Azeem expressed that it is historically and morally inappropriate to name a major national asset after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup that ousted Nkrumah’s government.
“We should name important state institutions and assets after individuals who have significantly contributed to Ghana’s development. That is why I propose renaming the airport after Kwame Nkrumah,” he stated. Azeem also highlighted that his suggestion resonates with growing calls for change, referencing comments made by Cardinal Peter Turkson, who recently questioned Ghana’s tradition of honouring individuals associated with the dismantling of democratic governments.
He believes the renaming would be a straightforward legislative process, particularly under a parliamentary majority, and serve as a long-overdue tribute to Nkrumah’s legacy. “Nkrumah’s influence shaped not just Ghana but also inspired liberation movements across Africa. We have countries like Kenya and Tanzania naming their international airports after leaders such as Jomo Kenyatta and Julius Nyerere, both of whom admired Nkrumah. Why should Ghana be any different?” Azeem questioned.
He expressed that the current name of the airport does not reflect the ideals of a democratic Ghana and called for national reflection. “How many Ghanaians today even remember the 1966 coup, aside from the fact that it disrupted Nkrumah’s visionary development plans? This is a matter of historical justice.”
Lt-Gen Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka played a key role in the 1966 military coup that overthrew Nkrumah while he was on an international mission. After the coup, Kotoka was promoted to Major General and became a member of the National Liberation Council (NLC), serving as Commissioner for Health and General Officer Commanding of the Ghana Armed Forces. Kotoka was killed during a counter-coup attempt on April 17, 1967, and the then Ghana International Airport was later renamed Kotoka International Airport in his honour.
Mr. Azeem’s statement contributes to a broader national conversation about how Ghana commemorates its history and who is deemed deserving of such honours.
