Kotoka Airport Renaming “Not Political,” Says NDC’s Hamza Suhuyini
NDC’s Hamza Suhuyini says renaming Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport is about correcting history and boosting Ghana’s global identity, not politics
- NDC’s Hamza Suhuyini says the renaming of Kotoka International Airport is aimed at correcting historical narratives
- He argues that naming it Accra International Airport strengthens Ghana’s national identity
- Suhuyini urges critics, particularly from the NPP, to engage the issue objectively
Hamza Suhuyini, a communications official for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has dismissed claims that the government’s plan to rename Kotoka International Airport is politically motivated.
In an interview on February 4, Suhuyini explained that retaining the name “Kotoka” serves as a painful reminder of the destruction caused by the 1966 coup. He said the proposed change to Accra International Airport is intended to correct this historical narrative, not to advance partisan interests.
He urged Ghanaians to welcome the renaming as a chance to rebrand the country and enhance Ghana’s recognition internationally.
“If it is Accra International Airport, there is nothing wrong with it. We need an airport that reflects our national identity. If you are outside the country and someone mentions Accra International Airport, you immediately know where it is,” he stated.
Suhuyini commended the government for addressing what he described as a longstanding symbolic concern and called on critics, especially from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to engage the matter objectively.
“This is not about political undertones. Beyond rebranding, it is about acknowledging that the 1966 coup inflicted great harm on the country. To continue naming our main gateway after that event is a constant reminder of the devastation it caused,” he added.
