An anti-corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem, has urged the government to reconsider its plans to rename Kotoka International Airport, proposing instead that the facility be named after Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

According to him, major national landmarks should recognise individuals who played key roles in Ghana’s independence and early development, rather than simply reflecting their geographic location.

Speaking on Citi FM on Monday, February 9, 2026, Azeem said he would have preferred the renaming exercise to acknowledge Dr Nkrumah’s lasting contributions to Ghana’s liberation and nation-building.

He pointed out that several African countries have named their principal international airports after their founding leaders, describing the practice as a way to honour those who led independence struggles and laid the foundations of their nations.

Rename Kotoka International Airport after Dr Kwame Nkrumah - Azeem

Azeem also dismissed concerns that changing the airport’s name would place an excessive financial burden on the state, noting that the process could be done gradually and in phases. He added that a symbolic rebranding could even enhance Ghana’s appeal to tourists.

Addressing fears of ethnic interpretations, Azeem stressed that Dr Nkrumah’s legacy belongs to the entire country 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 be a unifying national honour.

While acknowledging Accra International Airport as an acceptable alternative, Azeem said his strong preference remains Kwame Nkrumah International Airport.

SO/VPO

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