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Diasporia News of Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Source: NANA SIFA TWUM, LONDON

Rename Kotoka International Airport- KKD

A renowned Ghanaian broadcaster and PR consultant, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah has suggested the renaming of the countries premier and international airport to befit a statesman whose contribution to the nation’s independence is meaningful.

KKD as he is affectionately called was contributing to a discussion at the formal lunch of Ghana’s Golden independence golden jubilee celebrations in London.

He argued that since Kotoka after who the monument is named after overthrew the very government and person who fought for Ghana’s independence, “naming our entry point after Kotoka sends a mixed signal to the world, and it leaves much to be desired’

Though he could not forward any name to replace Kotoka International Airport, KKD was of the view that the name sends wrong signals to the youth and future generations

According to him many tourists who would be ‘celebrating this occasion with us will be asking who this Kotoka was. What do we tell them about Kotoka? The ace media personality enquired. KKD who is currently trading his profession in the UK expressed the fear that the name of the airport is sending ‘dangerous’ signals to the younger generations.

A UK based Ghanaian journalist, Bernard Otabil called on the government to work hard to ensure the total eradication of poverty in the country, adding that ‘the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked to the total eradication of poverty.’

The Editor of the AFRICAN ECHO, Isaac Amo-Kyereme called on the government to partner the airlines flying to Ghana over the celebration and arrange for special discounted fairs to enable as many Ghanaians abroad as possible to travel home for the memorable occasion.

He observed that though the invitation has gone through the Joseph project for all people of African descent to come home, if the airfares are as prohibitive as they are when compared to flying to for instance the Gambia, not many sons and daughters of the continent can come home to assist in the developmental efforts of the nation. About a hundred journalists and stakeholders within the Ghanaian community were present at the launch.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Annan Cato used the occasion to unveil the calendar of events that would be organised in the UK in commemoration of the jubilee. He also seized the opportunity to re-launch the redesigned the website of the Mission.

The High Commissioner extolled Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s independence declaration, which helped to stir, and brought hope to a sleepy continent and stressed, “Ghana’s leadership role and the sacrifices she made ensured the total liberation of the African continent”.