Historian Kwaku Darko Ankrah has voiced his support for ongoing calls to remove Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka’s name from Ghana’s international airport. His endorsement aligns with a lawsuit filed by Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) at the Supreme Court, seeking to rename the airport and remove any association with Kotoka.
The plaintiffs argue that honoring Kotoka—one of the key figures behind the 1966 coup d’état that overthrew Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah—contradicts Ghana’s democratic values. They assert that maintaining his name on one of the country’s most significant national landmarks suggests state approval of unconstitutional actions. Instead, they advocate for renaming the airport to reflect Ghana’s commitment to democratic governance and national unity.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 24, the plaintiffs emphasized the importance of ensuring that national monuments represent principles that align with democracy and justice. They contend that keeping Kotoka’s name on the airport implicitly celebrates a coup leader, which they believe sends the wrong message to future generations. The lawsuit calls for the removal of his name as a step toward rectifying historical injustices and aligning Ghana’s institutions with democratic ideals.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle, Kwaku Darko Ankrah stressed the significance of naming national landmarks after individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the country’s development. According to him, naming public monuments should be a way of honoring figures whose legacies align with the values of progress, democracy, and national service.
“I think it’s something that should be pursued. Naming of monuments is about the things people have done,” Ankrah stated. “We give honor, respect, and show that the nation is grateful. When people are writing history and someone is honored, the term used is that a grateful nation honored them with the Order of Volta, etc.”
He pointed out that national monuments should serve as symbols of inspiration, celebrating individuals who have played a positive role in Ghana’s development. He believes that continuing to associate Kotoka’s name with the international airport fails to reflect these principles.
Ankrah further criticized successive governments for failing to address the issue, suggesting that Ghanaian leadership has overlooked the deeper historical implications of maintaining Kotoka’s legacy on such an important national landmark. He argued that keeping the name could be seen as an endorsement of military intervention in governance, which runs counter to the ideals of democracy and constitutional rule.
The historian also noted that some supporters of retaining the name focus on the circumstances of Kotoka’s death rather than his actions. He observed that some individuals argue that Kotoka’s assassination in close proximity to the airport justifies its naming after him. However, Ankrah dismissed this reasoning, stating that historical recognition should be based on the impact of one’s contributions to the nation rather than the manner of their death.
The debate over renaming Kotoka International Airport has persisted for years, with some arguing that historical figures should be judged in their entirety rather than for single actions. Others, however, insist that Ghana should not commemorate individuals linked to military takeovers, as doing so undermines the sacrifices made to establish and uphold democracy.
Supporters of renaming the airport believe that a more fitting name should reflect Ghana’s rich history, independence struggle, or national unity. Some have suggested that the airport be renamed after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, who led the country to independence in 1957. Others propose names that honor national heroes who played a role in shaping the country’s democratic institutions.
Critics of the renaming effort, however, argue that Kotoka played a role in shaping Ghana’s modern political landscape and should not be erased from history. They contend that while his involvement in the 1966 coup was controversial, it was part of a broader historical context that cannot be ignored. Some also argue that focusing on renaming the airport distracts from more pressing national issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and governance reforms.
Despite these opposing views, the call to rename Kotoka International Airport continues to gain traction, particularly among historians, political analysts, and civil society groups. The issue has sparked national conversations about how Ghana chooses to commemorate its past and what values should be reflected in its public institutions.
As the Supreme Court prepares to deliberate on the case, the outcome could set a precedent for how Ghana addresses historical legacies tied to its political history. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could open the door for a broader reassessment of public monuments and national symbols linked to controversial figures.
Regardless of the legal outcome, the debate over the airport’s name highlights the evolving discourse on history, memory, and national identity in Ghana. As the country continues to build on its democratic foundations, discussions surrounding historical figures and their legacies will remain crucial in shaping how future generations understand and relate to Ghana’s past.
