The government has announced plans to rename Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as Accra International Airport, subject to parliamentary approval.
The announcement was made during a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said the proposed change would be effected through legislation to be laid before 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,” he stated.
The proposed renaming follows years of advocacy by sections of the public and civil society groups who argue that the current name does not reflect Ghana’s democratic values, as it honours General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, one of the key figures behind the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first government.
Mr Ayariga explained that the airport renaming is part of a broader set of legislative priorities expected to be introduced when Parliament resumes.
He added that the Minister for Transport would also present several bills, including the Maritime Offences Bill, the Road Traffic Bill, and the Ghana Shippers’ Council Regulation Bill.
According to the Majority Leader, the Road Traffic Bill is expected to address the legalisation and regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as okada.
Parliament is expected to debate the proposed airport name change and the transport-related bills during the new legislative session.