Kotoka Int’l Airport to be reverted to its original name, “Accra International Airport” – Majority Leader
Kotoka Int’l Airport to be reverted to its original name, “Accra International Airport” - Majority Leader
Leader of government Business in Ghana’s Parliament and the Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has announced that the John Dramani Mahama-led administration under its reset agenda is set to change the name of Ghana’s international airport, “Kotoka International Airport (KIA), to its original name, “The Accra International Airport.”
The Majority Leader explained that the change would be carried out through legislation to be presented to Parliament by the Minister for Transport during the Second Session of the 9th Parliament.
“We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. The Minister will bring a bill for Transport for the name to be changed,” he stated.
The Majority Leader, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region, announced at a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
The proposed renaming of the facility to its original name follows longstanding calls from sections of the public and civil society groups who argue that the current name does not align with Ghana’s democratic values, as it honours General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a leading figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew the country’s first government.
Mr. Ayariga explained that the renaming is part of a broader set of legislative priorities expected to be tabled when Parliament resumes for its second session, which begins today, Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
He added that the Minister for Transport will also lay other bills, including the Maritime Offences Bill and the Road Traffic Bill, aimed at addressing the legalisation and regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as okada.
“The Minister for Transport will bring the Maritime Offences Bill and the Road Traffic Bill to deal with the legalisation of okada riding and their operations. He will also bring the Ghana Shippers Council Regulation Bill,” he said.
Parliament is expected to debate the proposed airport renaming and the transport-related bills during the new session.
