Minority Leader and Effutu Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the government’s proposal to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA), describing it as an indictment on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and an attempt to erase important historical recognition.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the justification for the move, arguing that the airport’s current name already balances Accra’s identity with Ghana’s history.
“All these years we’ve had General Kotoka’s name on the airport, and suddenly it’s being changed. What is it?” he asked.
“After all, the name is Kotoka International Airport, comma Accra. Accra is already there, so there is no need to remove Kotoka’s name.”
The Minority Leader said the proposal unfairly singles out one of the few national landmarks that honours a figure associated with the Volta Region, noting that previous governments had preserved the name without dispute.
“If you come to Accra or even across the country, how many prominent Voltarians have their names on national assets or monuments?” he queried.
“This is the only thing the people of the Volta Region can point to as recognising heroism from the area, and even that is being taken away.”
He also criticised what he described as the quiet posture of senior government officials from the Volta Region, insisting they share responsibility for allowing the change to advance.
Mr Afenyo-Markin singled out officials including Kwame Agbodza, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Fifi Kwetey and Bernard Ahiafor, arguing that their influence within government makes the situation more concerning.
“They are all sitting down watching the government take away a Voltarian’s name, which has been given to our airport. At this time and age, they are in government and watching the Volta Region lose its pride. It is up to them,” he said.
His remarks follow comments by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who announced that the government intends to rename Kotoka International Airport as Accra International Airport.
Mr Ayariga made the disclosure while speaking to journalists ahead of the first sitting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, explaining that the move is part of broader efforts to align national institutions with Ghana’s democratic values and identity.
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