Historian backs call for removal of Kotoka’s name from Ghana’s Int’l Airport

Kwaku Darko Ankrah who is a historian has thrown his support toward the rear call to withdraw the name of Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka’s name from Ghana’s international airport.

This indorsement follows the lawsuit filed by the Convention People’s Party and the Democracy hub assaying to dismantle the airport’s name Kotoka at the supreme court.

The complainant’s reason that, honoring Kotoka who was one of the key figures behind the 1966 coup d’état that overthrew Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Ghana’s first president contravenes the democratic values of the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, February 24, 2024 they affirmed that keeping Kotoka’s name on a major national monument implies state approval of unconstitutional actions. Instead, they advocate for renaming the airport to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to democratic governance.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Darko Ankrah, emphasized on the importance of naming landmark after people who has made meaningful contributions. In a statement He said, “I think it’s something that should be pursued. Naming of monuments is about things people have done. “We give honour, and respect, to show that the nation is grateful”.

He further argued that, “Anything that is contrary to something good done for a nation, people will see it as wrong. The people who advocate for the naming of Kotoka International Airport, they are looking at the manner of death that Kotoka suffered around that vicinity.”

Ankrah again, criticized successive governments for failing to change the airport’s name, suggesting that Ghana’s leadership has overlooked the deeper historical implications of keeping Kotoka’s legacy tied to such a key national landmark and for that reason He strongly supports the lawsuit.