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Anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem has appealed to the government to reconsider its proposal to rename Kotoka International Airport, suggesting that the facility should instead be named after Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
His comments come amid public debate following government plans to rename the airport as Accra International Airport. While Mr Azeem welcomed the decision to drop the current name, he argued that the country’s main international gateway should honour a figure of profound national and historical importance.
According to him, major national infrastructure should commemorate individuals who played key roles in Ghana’s independence and early nation-building, rather than carry names based solely on geographic location.
Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Sunday, February 9, 2026, Mr Azeem said he believed Dr Nkrumah’s legacy made him the most suitable candidate for such recognition, given his contributions to Ghana’s liberation and foundational development.
He pointed out that several African nations have named their principal international airports after their founding leaders, describing the practice as a fitting tribute to those who led independence movements and established modern states.
Addressing concerns about the potential cost of a name change, Mr Azeem dismissed claims of excessive financial burden, explaining that the process could be phased over time. He added that the symbolic value of renaming the airport could even enhance Ghana’s image and attractiveness to tourists.
He also rejected suggestions that naming the airport after Dr Nkrumah could raise ethnic concerns, emphasizing that the former President’s legacy transcends tribal identity.
“Nkrumah belongs to the entire nation, not to any single tribe,” he said, adding that such a move would serve as a unifying national symbol.
While acknowledging Accra International Airport as an alternative option, Mr Azeem stressed that his preferred choice remains Kwame Nkrumah International Airport.