Kotoka International Airport Inscription on Main Terminal Signage Removed After Renaming
- President John Dramani Mahama's government has taken a new decision following the renaming of the Kotoka International Airport
- The signage bearing the old name of Ghana's premier airport has been taken down and replaced with the new name after the renaming process
- The latest changes to the signage at the Kotoka International Airport has triggered mixed reactions from many Ghanaians online
Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!
The signage at the main terminal of the Kotoka International Airport has been removed and replaced after the Ministry of Transport confirmed the official reversion of the facility's name on February 23, 2026.
Source: UGC
The name of the national airport became a subject of public scrutiny in recent months after President John Dramani Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) government raised concerns about its association with the late coup leader Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
Why the government renamed Kotoka International Airport
The airport was formerly known as Accra International Airport but was later named after Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, one of the key figures involved in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The government earlier stated that it had deemed it appropriate to restore the airport to its former, internationally recognised name.
The renaming followed years of calls by sections of the public and civil society groups, who argued that the current name did not reflect Ghana’s democratic values, as it honoured Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a leading figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first president.
The majority leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, had earlier indicated that the government planned to effect the name change through legislation.
However, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, later clarified that the airport’s name change did not require legislation because the initial renaming to Kotoka International Airport had no legislative backing.
He explained to the press that the renaming was done by executive decree to honour Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, one of the soldiers who overthrew Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
Kotoka International airport signage removed after renaming
In a video shared by renowned Ghanaian blogger The1957News on Instagram on Friday, March 20, 2026, the inscription “Kotoka International Airport” on the main terminal signage at Ghana’s principal airport in Accra has been officially removed and replaced with “Accra International Airport.”
The footage showed the airport busy with vehicles parked on the premises while travellers trooped into the terminals for their flights.
Source: UGC
The latest development surrounding the airport's renaming saga has evoked mixed reactions from Ghanaians on social media.
The Instagram video showing the removal of the Kotoka International Airport signage is below:
Kotoka International Airport signage removal stirs reactions
YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments from social media users below:
Iam_demalina commented:
"But Kotoka was better."
Adorned_bybarb said:
"It should have been Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah International Airport, but it’s okay, we move. Thank you, Ghana. Ghana wins."
Omochyna wrote:
"👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Finally, I’m amazed at how quick actions were put into making this change."
Kotoka's family criticises airport name change
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Kotoka's family criticised the government's move to change the name of the airport named after the late military man.
According to the family, the move to change the airport's name was a dent in the legacy of the late military officer who led the coup to overthrow Kwame Nkrumah.
Michael Korshie Dzirakor, a maternal uncle of Kotoka, stated that the NDC government did not have any consultation with his family before taking their decision.
Source: YEN.com.gh
