Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, a Tourism Consultant, has proposed that Kotoka International Airport be renamed Kwame Nkrumah International Airport, Accra, to strengthen national identity and boost tourism.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said a nation’s main international airport was more than a transportation hub and described it as “a powerful national symbol and the first physical and psychological point of contact between a country and the world.”
“The name it bears communicates values, identity and history,” he said, adding that for Ghana, whose global reputation was built on independence, Pan-Africanism and cultural pride, it was both timely and necessary to align its principal gateway with its founding ideals.
Mr Frimpong said Dr Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to independence in 1957, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to attain independence from colonial rule.
He said Nkrumah’s vision inspired liberation movements across Africa and the diaspora and that his name carried global recognition and respect.
Mr Frimpong said Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka was remembered for his role in the 1966 coup that overthrew Nkrumah’s government and argued that the country’s most prestigious facility should honour those who built the nation.
From a tourism perspective, he described the proposed renaming as a strategic branding opportunity.
“The name Kwame Nkrumah International Airport instantly tells a story of freedom, leadership and African pride. It sparks curiosity and encourages visitors to learn more about Ghana’s history even before they arrive,” he said.
Mr Frimpong cited examples of airports named after notable leaders, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in the United States, Charles de Gaulle Airport in France and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya.
He said renaming the airport would boost heritage and diaspora tourism, noting that many people of African descent viewed Nkrumah as a symbol of Black liberation.
Mr Frimpong said that the facility could be enhanced with exhibitions and installations dedicated to Nkrumah’s life and Ghana’s independence struggle.
“Renaming Kotoka International Airport to Kwame Nkrumah International Airport, Accra, is about aligning Ghana’s most visible gateway with its highest ideals, and it will send a powerful message about Ghana’s identity and strengthen its appeal as a tourism destination,” he stated.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
12 Feb. 2025
