Africa-Press – Ghana. Residents of the Ketu North Municipality in the Volta Region have expressed mixed reactions to the government’s proposal to change the name of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) back to Accra International Airport.
In separate interactions, some residents questioned the rationale behind the proposed change, while others welcomed the move.
Mr Edward Seke, Presiding Member of the Ketu North Municipal Assembly, said he was not fully convinced by the reasons advanced for the renaming.
He argued that if the late Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka did not play a role worthy of national recognition, as suggested by proponents of the change, then, it raised questions as to why such a major national asset was originally named after him.
“If General Kotoka did nothing significant to deserve the honour, then why was his name used for such an important international asset in the first place? Either his contributions were more significant than what is now being claimed, or he played a key role in the development of the airport,” he said.
Mr Seke called on authorities to revisit the historical facts and provide clearer justification for the proposed name change.
Mr Abraham Etsey, a businessman in Dzodze, told that he was surprised by the announcement made by the Majority Leader in Parliament.
“I thought the NDC was not known for changing the names of national assets and institutions, so I am surprised by this decision,” he said.
He said it is 57 years already, why this sudden attitude by government and asked, “what will happened to state assets named after coup leaders in the jurisdiction.”?
However, Madam Ellen Folikumah, a resident of the Municipality, expressed support for the proposal, saying the original name of the facility reflected its national identity.
The airport was originally opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport and was renamed in 1969 in honour of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
The proposal to revert to the original name was announced by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Mahama Ayariga, and has since generated public debate across the country.
