Rename airport after Nkrumah, not Accra – Vitus Azeem urges government

Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has called on the government to revise its plans for the proposed renaming of Kotoka International Airport, advocating instead that the facility bear the name of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Mr Azeem made the appeal amid an ongoing public discussion sparked by the government’s intention to rename the airport to Accra International Airport.

While he welcomed the move to drop the current name, he argued that Ghana’s most prominent aviation facility should commemorate a figure of historic national significance.

In his view, key national landmarks should honour individuals who played decisive roles in the country’s independence and formative years, rather than be named solely for their location.

Speaking on Citi FM on Sunday, February 9, 2026, Mr Azeem said he would have preferred the renaming effort to recognise Dr Nkrumah’s enduring contributions to Ghana’s liberation and early development.

He noted that several African countries have named their main international airports after their founding leaders, describing such gestures as appropriate recognition of those who led independence struggles and laid the foundations of statehood.

Mr Azeem also dismissed fears that a name change would impose an excessive financial burden on the state, noting that the transition could be implemented over time and managed in phases. He added that a symbolic rebrand could even boost Ghana’s appeal to tourists.

Touching on concerns about ethnic interpretations, he stressed that Dr Nkrumah’s legacy belongs to the entire nation and should not be viewed through a tribal lens.

“Nkrumah is not defined by tribe; he represents Ghana as a whole,” he said, adding that naming the airport after the country’s first President would serve as a unifying national honour.

“While acknowledging Accra International Airport as a possible alternative, Mr Azeem said his strong preference remained for Kwame Nkrumah International Airport.

Source: myjoyonline.com