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The Inter-Mutual Community of Ga States has expressed strong opposition to a legal challenge by Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) seeking to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) after Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In a statement, the GaDangme community criticised the lack of consultation with indigenous Ga leaders before making such a move, arguing that their land and history deserve equal recognition in national decisions.
The GaDangme group stressed that while they deeply respect Nkrumah, it would be unfair to rename every major landmark in Accra after him without acknowledging other historical figures who contributed to Ghana’s independence.
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“No tribe has expressed more love for Nkrumah than the Ga State, but at this point, we believe we have done enough for him. Everything on our land cannot be named after him,” the statement read.
They further emphasised that several places in Accra already bear Nkrumah’s name and suggested that if a name change is necessary, it should honour GaDangme leaders who played key roles in Ghana’s independence, such as:
- Amon Kotei—Designer of Ghana’s national coat of arms.
- Sergeant Adjetey—A nationalist and martyr of the 1948 Accra Riots.
- Tetteh Quarshie—Introduced cocoa to Ghana, transforming its economy.
- Ako Adjei—A member of the Big Six who was instrumental in Ghana’s independence movement.
“If President Mahama and his government cannot rename the airport using any of these names, then they should leave it as it is,” the group warned.
The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Hub and the CPP, seeks to remove the name Kotoka from Ghana’s main international airport, arguing that it contradicts the country’s commitment to democracy and constitutional governance.
They contend that naming the airport after Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a key figure in the 1966 coup d’état, is an endorsement of military rule, which goes against Ghana’s democratic principles.
“For nearly six decades, Ghana has publicly opposed military takeovers, yet we continue to glorify one of the very people who led the country’s first coup. This contradiction must end,” their statement read.
The group believes the General Kotoka Trust Decree, 1969 (NLCD 339), which officially named the airport, should be reviewed and repealed.
The controversy surrounding Kotoka International Airport’s name has sparked a national debate about how Ghana honours its historical figures.
While some argue that Nkrumah deserves further recognition, others, like the GaDangme community, insist that their ancestors’ sacrifices must not be erased from history.
With the case now before the Supreme Court, the final decision could shape future discussions on heritage, identity, and the recognition of national heroes in Ghana.
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