Ghana’s main aviation hub will now be known as Accra International Airport, after the government officially restored the facility’s original name.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Transport, authorities explained that the airport initially operated under the name Accra International Airport before it was later renamed Kotoka International Airport. The Ministry said a review of the matter concluded that reverting to the former and internationally recognised name was appropriate.
Officials stressed that the decision is administrative and will not disrupt airport operations, compromise safety standards, or affect international travel arrangements.
The Ministry also clarified that the airport’s ICAO code, “ACC,” has not changed at any point and will remain in use.
Implementation of the new name will involve coordinated updates across official documents, statutory instruments, airport signage, digital platforms, aviation publications and other communication channels linked to the facility.
Government is urging the public, industry stakeholders and international partners to work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the transition proceeds smoothly. The Ministry expressed gratitude for the cooperation and continued support of all parties involved.
The renaming follows weeks of heated public discussion. On February 3, the Majority Leader announced plans to lay a bill before Parliament to restore the airport’s original name. Supporters of the move argued that it honours the Ga people whose lands were acquired for the airport’s construction and addresses concerns about celebrating an era associated with unconstitutional regime change.
The proposal has sharply divided opinion. Advocates, including Bongo MP Charles Bawaduah, maintain that removing Kotoka’s name strengthens Ghana’s democratic credentials by ensuring the country’s primary gateway does not commemorate the overthrow of an elected government.
Opposition voices have pushed back strongly. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the plan, describing it as a betrayal of the Volta Region, the home of General Kotoka. He accused senior NDC figures from the region of standing by while what he considers one of the few national symbols of heroism linked to their area is being erased.
Read the statement below.
