Vitus Azeem, an anti-corruption advocate, has joined the calls for the renaming of Kotoka International Airport(KIA) after Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
According to Vitus Azeem, national monuments should honour leaders who contributed significantly to Ghana’s development.
Speaking on Citi News, Vitus Azeem stated, “We need to name important state institutions and assets after people who have contributed significantly to Ghana’s development. That is why I suggest renaming the airport after Kwame Nkrumah”.
“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.
“How many Ghanaians today even recall the 1966 coup, except that it disrupted Nkrumah’s visionary development plans? This is a matter of historical justice.”
For decades, the name Kotoka International Airport has been seen as an insult by many and a painful reminder of the conspiracy between the country’s political elite and foreign powers.
Many Ghanaians argue that naming the airport after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kotoka, a military officer who played a key role in overthrowing Dr Kwame Nkrumah, is a dishonour to the country’s founder.
In addition, Asiedu Nketiah, the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that Kotoka International Airport needs a name change.
According to him, the name has remained unchanged over the years because no government has dared to change it.
Also, Veteran Ghanaian journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has questioned the rationale behind the naming of the Kotoka International Airport in honour of a national traitor.
According to him, the nation cannot justify its decision to name the country’s airport after Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a coup plotter who caused Ghana’s retrogression.
The Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) also filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court, demanding a name change.
