PETITION BY THE DIASPORAN VOICE FOR GHANA

To: The Government of the Republic of Ghana

Subject: Renaming Kotoka International Airport to Kwame Nkrumah International Airport

Date: 19/5/25

To His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana,

The Minister of Transport,

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture,

The Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,

The Ghana Airports Company Limited,

And All Relevant Government Authorities,

We, the undersigned members of the global Ghanaian Diaspora and allies of Ghana, write this petition with unwavering patriotic purpose and deep reverence for the founding ideals of our great nation. This petition represents a collective call to action, urging the Government of Ghana to consider renaming the Kotoka International Airport to Kwame Nkrumah International Airport in honor of Ghana’s founding father and first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

Kotoka International Airport (KIA), located in Accra, is Ghana’s premier international gateway. As the first point of contact for millions of travelers and investors entering Ghana, the airport serves as a symbolic and functional hub representing our nation’s identity, heritage, and aspirations.

The current name of the airport memorializes Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a central figure in the 1966 coup d’état that overthrew Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s democratically elected government. While Lt. Gen. Kotoka’s contributions to the military are recognized by some, the association of Ghana’s most important national airport with the suppression of Ghana’s founding vision undermines the enduring values of Pan-Africanism, independence, and African unity that Nkrumah championed.

WHY KWAME NKRUMAH DESERVES THIS HONOR

1. Founding Father of the Nation:

Dr. Nkrumah led Ghana to independence from British colonial rule in 1957, making Ghana the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence. This act inspired liberation movements across Africa and elevated Ghana’s status as a beacon of hope and freedom.

2. Pan-African Leader:

Nkrumah’s vision extended beyond national borders. He was instrumental in forming the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union. His leadership on the global stage made Ghana a proud symbol of African dignity and ambition.

3. Global Recognition and Enduring Legacy:

Internationally, Kwame Nkrumah is celebrated as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Numerous institutions, roads, and monuments around the world are named after him from Ethiopia to the Caribbean, and even parts of the United States.

4. Restoring Historical Justice:

Renaming the airport corrects an enduring historical inconsistency the international entry point to Ghana should not commemorate a figure associated with the disruption of Ghana’s democratic evolution, but rather a figure synonymous with national pride and unity.

THE SYMBOLIC POWER OF RENAMING

Changing the name of Kotoka International Airport to Kwame Nkrumah International Airport would:

* Align Ghana’s national symbols with its true historical heroes.

* Inspire pride in Ghanaian citizens and the African Diaspora.

* Reinforce Ghana’s global identity as the cradle of African liberation.

* Promote historical truth and reconciliation for future generations.

CALL TO ACTION

We respectfully urge the Government of Ghana to:

1. Initiate a formal process to rename Kotoka International Airport to Kwame Nkrumah International Airport.

2. Engage relevant stakeholders including historians, civil society, traditional leaders, and the general public in a national dialogue about the significance of this change.

3. Use this renaming as an opportunity to educate the public about Ghana’s rich history and the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah.

CONCLUSION

We believe that this change is not merely about a name it is about honoring our true national identity and recognizing the leader whose vision laid the foundation for Ghana’s past, present, and future. This is a call to honor truth over politics, unity over division, and legacy over momentary history.

In the spirit of patriotism and Pan-African pride, we, the members of the Diasporan Voice for Ghana, stand united in this request.

Respectfully Submitted,

Co-Petitioner - Abiam Danso

Diasporan Voice For Ghana

United States