Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Kofi Kapito, has criticised plans to rename Kotoka International Airport, saying attention should be focused on more pressing issues affecting Ghanaians.

His comment comes after Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga revealed that the government plans to rename Kotoka International Airport as Accra International Airport.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on February 4, Mr Kapito said the frequent renaming of national landmarks only places an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers while failing to address critical issues affecting the daily lives of Ghanaians.

He questioned the relevance of renaming national institutions at a time when consumers remain largely unprotected under Ghana’s legal framework.

“Kotoka International, Accra International that is not what is important to me now as a citizen. I’m urging the media, ask Parliament, “The consumer bill that will protect every consumer, including themselves what are they doing about it?”

Mr Kapito expressed deep frustration at Parliament’s failure to prioritise the Consumer Protection Bill, singling out Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga for criticism.

“You talk about renaming an airport, so what? I'm very upset that Mahama Ayariga is not even proposing the passage of the consumer bill—something that will give you, the consumer, the right of protection.”

Touching on arguments around Ghana’s military history often raised in the renaming debate, Mr Kapito said such discussions are unnecessary at this time.

“Kotoka did a coup, so what? Jerry John Rawlings also did a coup. All these things are part of our history. I’m not speaking because I am pro-Kotoka; I don’t even know the man. What I’m saying is, there are more permanent issues facing Ghanaians.”

Highlighting the long-delayed Consumer Protection Bill, Mr Kapito said successive governments have failed to pass it despite repeated attempts.

He warned that renaming Kotoka International Airport would come at a huge cost to the state.

“Do you know how much it’s going to cost the taxpayer? The moment you take Kotoka out of it, you have to re-change every single thing that has Kotoka on it. We don’t even think.”

Mr Kapito also highlighted deteriorating conditions in major public hospitals as issues Parliament should prioritise.

“Go to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital right now. Go to 37 Military Hospital. Go to OKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Korle-Bu, as we speak, the toilets have been locked and given to a private person to charge people.”

He cited findings from his investigations into public health facilities.

“A pregnant woman in the maternity ward is charged 50 pesewas to use the toilet, and if you want toilet roll to wipe, they charge you 10 pesewas extra.”

Describing his frustration as a citizen, Mr Kapito said Ghanaians deserve protection and dignity, not symbolic changes.

“I am angry as a Ghanaian. As a Ghanaian, I am entitled to some rights, not some renaming. It doesn’t make any sense.”

While distancing himself from partisan politics, he acknowledged improvements in the economy.

“The dollar is coming down. Inflation is doing well. Petrol has gone down. Those are the kind of things I want to see.”

He added that beneficial policies should be recognised regardless of which political party introduces them.

“I’ve seen some good things that His Excellency John Mahama has done, and they are benefiting me. I’m happy. Yesterday, I bought petrol, and it was 9.9 cedis. It’s the same way under NPP when they introduced free SHS—others also benefited. This is what Ghanaians want.”

Mr Kapito urged Ghanaians to think beyond partisan politics.

“We need to think like Ghanaians. We are allowing NPP, NDC to consume us too much."