Ghana’s government announced plans to rename its main international gateway, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), as Accra International Airport, subject to parliamentary approval, the Majority Leader said on Tuesday.
The proposed renaming was unveiled during a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Ninth Parliament. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader in Parliament, said the change would be effected through legislation to be laid before lawmakers by the Minister for Transport.
“We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. A bill will be brought by the Minister for Transport for the name to be changed,” Ayariga said.
The move follows years of advocacy by civil society groups and segments of the public, who have argued that the airport’s current name does not reflect Ghana’s democratic values. The facility is named after General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 military coup that overthrew Ghana’s first post-independence government. Critics have long called for a change, contending that national infrastructure should reflect democratic ideals rather than historical military figures.
The proposed renaming is part of a broader legislative agenda expected when Parliament resumes. Ayariga said the Minister for Transport will also introduce several bills, including the Maritime Offences Bill, the Road Traffic Bill, and the Ghana Shippers’ Council Regulation Bill.
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The Road Traffic Bill, he noted, is expected to address the legalisation and regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, commonly known as okada. These motorcycles, widely used for urban transport, have long operated in a legal grey area, prompting calls for regulatory clarity to improve safety and licensing standards.
The Maritime Offences Bill and the Ghana Shippers’ Council Regulation Bill are aimed at strengthening governance and oversight in the shipping and maritime sectors, key pillars of Ghana’s trade and logistics infrastructure.
Parliament is expected to debate the airport renaming and the transport-related bills during the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers will review the proposals before voting on whether to enact the changes into law.
Kotoka International Airport, located in the capital Accra, is Ghana’s busiest airport and serves as the main hub for international and regional air traffic. It is named after General Kotoka, who played a central role in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah. The proposed name change is part of a broader effort to align public symbols with Ghana’s democratic and civilian governance history.
Ayariuga said the government believes the renaming would also strengthen Accra’s identity as a regional aviation hub. “The proposed change reflects both national sentiment and a desire to ensure our infrastructure resonates with Ghana’s democratic values,” he said.
The announcement is likely to trigger discussions among lawmakers, civil society, and the general public, as renaming iconic national infrastructure can be both politically and socially sensitive. Ghanaian media and advocacy groups have debated the airport’s name for years, with some seeing the change as overdue and others calling for broader public consultation.
If approved by Parliament, the airport will officially become Accra International Airport, and relevant regulatory and administrative adjustments, including signage, branding, and international aviation codes, will be implemented over the following months.
The government’s transport-related legislative push comes as Ghana seeks to modernize and regulate key sectors, improve safety standards, and strengthen its trade and transport infrastructure amid increasing domestic and regional demand.
