Government Reverts Kotoka International Airport to Original Name: Accra International Airport
The Government of Ghana has officially renamed Kotoka International Airport back to Accra International Airport, reversing a change made decades ago to honour the late Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Aviation on Monday, February 23, 2026, authorities explained that the facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before being renamed in tribute to Kotoka. The decision to revert to the former name has been deemed appropriate to restore what is described as its “internationally recognised” designation.
The Ministry assured the public and all stakeholders that the name change will have no impact on airport operations, safety standards, flight schedules, or international travel arrangements. Crucially, the airport’s ICAO code—ACC—has remained unchanged throughout and will continue to be used in all aviation documentation and systems worldwide.
The renaming process will involve a phased update of:
Official documentation and statutory instruments
Airport signage and wayfinding
Digital platforms, websites, and booking systems
Aviation publications, charts, and international databases
The government has appealed to the general public, airlines, travel agencies, international partners, and all stakeholders to cooperate fully with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
The Ministry expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their continued support and understanding during the change.
Background and Debate
The move follows weeks of intense national discussion after Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga announced on February 3, 2026, that the government intended to introduce legislation to revert the name. Proponents framed the change as a way to honour the Ga people, on whose ancestral lands the airport was built, and to avoid glorifying the 1966 military coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah—an event in which Kotoka played a leading role.
Supporters, including Bongo MP Charles Lwanga Bawa-Duah, argued that retaining “Kotoka” in the name projects an image of endorsing unconstitutional regime change, inconsistent with Ghana’s democratic credentials.
The proposal, however, faced sharp criticism from the Minority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who accused the government of erasing a national symbol of heroism from the Volta Region—Kotoka’s home area—and claimed senior NDC figures from the region had remained silent on the issue.
The decision to proceed via executive action rather than a full parliamentary bill has also drawn procedural questions, though the Ministry’s statement indicates the change is now official.
The reversion aligns with the airport’s long-standing ICAO and IATA designations and is expected to simplify international recognition while avoiding further politicization of the national gateway.
Airlines, the Ghana Airports Company Limited, and international aviation bodies have been notified, and updates to global systems are already underway. Passengers and travellers are advised to continue using “ACC” as the airport code in bookings and travel documents.
