The government of Ghana has announced plans to rename Ghana’s main international airport from Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport.
Speaking at a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, said the proposed change would be carried out through legislation to be presented to Parliament by the Minister for Transport.
“We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. A bill will be brought by the Minister for Transport for the name to be changed,” Mr Ayariga stated.
The move follows longstanding calls from sections of the public and civil society groups who argue that the current name does not align with Ghana’s democratic values.
Kotoka International Airport is named after General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a leading figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first government.
According to Mr Ayariga, the renaming proposal forms part of a broader set of legislative priorities to be considered when Parliament resumes.
He added that the Minister for Transport is also expected to lay several other bills before the House, including the Maritime Offences Bill and the Road Traffic Bill.
These bills are aimed at regulating and legalising commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as okada.
“The Minister for Transport will bring the Maritime Offences Bill and the Road Traffic Bill to deal with the legalisation of okada riding and their operations. He will also bring the Ghana Shippers Council Regulation Bill,” he said.
