PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24 February 2026
RENAMING OF KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ACCRA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On the 23rd of February, the eve of the 60th Anniversary of the overthrow of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Transport, has officially reverted the name of Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport.
Today, the 24th of February 2026, I welcome this decision with deep gratitude and a full sense of history. On 20 January 2026, I led a petition calling for this change – not as a distraction from bread-and-butter development, but as a reminder that nation-building is both material and moral. A country can build roads, airports, ports, and factories—and still choose to correct what it honours at its front door.
To His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana, thank you for showing that leadership remains a fearless blend of courage and conviction. This moment will be remembered as a legacy decision – because it signals that Ghana’s democracy is mature enough to hear its people, reflect, and act.
To the Ministry of Transport and all institutions that will implement the transition – GACL, GCAA, security services, airlines and partners – thank you. To every citizen who debated, criticized, supported, prayed, wrote, spoke, and stood firm – thank you.
To the media houses that carried and amplified the conversation, to civil society voices, Samia Nkrumah, Kwaku Sintim Misa, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the Democracy Hub and many others who kept the issue alive over the years, and to those who disagreed but engaged respectfully – thank you. This win belongs to Ghana, the African Union and the Founders of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)
The spirit of Dr. Nkrumah is revived in us. Our development agenda must continue – jobs, education, health, food security, and industrial growth – but today also proves something important: we can pursue progress without losing our conscience.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation truly great and strong!
ISSUED BY:
MR. STEVEN NHYIRA ODARTEIFIO AIRPORT NAME CHANGE PETITIONER
