The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticised government’s plan to rename Kotoka International Airport as Accra International Airport, describing the move as a betrayal of trust, particularly to the people of the Volta Region.
Reacting to the announcement from Jubilee House, the Efutu MP questioned whether the decision was taken after broad consultation, especially with stakeholders from the Volta Region, where the late General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka hailed from.
“I do not know whether the people of the Volta Region were consulted. General Kotoka is from the Volta Region and many Voltarians have contributed significantly to national development,” Osahen said in an interview with the media.
He said he would be deeply shocked if the name of the only Voltarian honoured with a major national asset was suddenly removed without engagement with traditional authorities and opinion leaders from the region.
“I am a Voltarian myself. I do not believe the chiefs or prominent elders in the Volta Region were consulted and I doubt they will be happy with this decision,” he noted.
Osahen argued that very few Voltarians have been recognised nationally, despite their contributions to Ghana’s development, making the proposed name change even more unfair.
“If you look around the country, how many national monuments or assets carry the names of prominent Voltarians. This airport is one of the few symbols of national recognition for the Volta Region and even that is being taken away.”
He also questioned the silence of senior government officials from the Volta Region, including cabinet members and parliamentary leaders.
“Honourable Kwame Agbodza is from Volta region and sits in cabinet. Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa is also in cabinet. Honourable Fifi Kwetey is the NDC General Secretary. Honourable Ahiafor is the First Deputy Speaker. Honourable Kwame Etse Dafeamekpor is the Majority Chief Whip. They are all watching while a Voltarian’s name is removed from a national asset,” he said.
According to Osahen, this is happening at a time when Voltarians hold influential positions in government, yet appear unable or unwilling to protect what he described as the region’s pride.
“It is unfortunate that, in this day and age, people from the Volta Region are in government and watching their own lose this symbol of recognition,” he added.
The Minority Leader described the government’s direction as misguided and disappointing.
The proposal was announced on Tuesday by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga at a press conference in Parliament ahead of the second session of the Ninth Parliament.
He revealed that government intends to table a bill to rename Ghana’s premier international airport as part of its legislative agenda.
Osahen questioned the rationale behind the move, noting that the airport’s current name already reflects its location.
“All these years, we have called it Kotoka International Airport, Accra,” he said. “Accra is already part of the name. I honestly do not see why Kotoka’s name must be removed.”
Asked whether he had an alternative name to propose, Osahen said he was not advocating for a replacement.
“I am not suggesting any new name. I am simply saying that Kotoka International Airport, Accra, already serves its purpose. There is no need to take Kotoka’s name out,” he clarified.
Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, born at Alakple in the Volta Region, was a senior military officer and a key figure in Ghana’s political and military history.
He rose through the ranks of the Ghana Army, distinguished himself during the United Nations mission in the Congo, and was awarded the Ghana Service Order for Exceptional Bravery.
He was the soldier who led the coup which overthrew the administration of President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana on February 24, 1966 and became a member of the National Liberation Council.
He was serving as General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces when he was killed during a failed counter-coup attempt in April 1967.
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The post Afenyo Markin Yells: Mahama’s Government Has Betrayed Voltarians … Over Attempt To Rename Kotoka Airport appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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