Over the past few days, media discourse in Ghana has been flooded with Government’s attempt to rename Ghana’s major international Airport; Kotoka International Airport.

Ghana's government has proposed renaming Kotoka International Airport, with the initial suggestion being Accra International Airport. Supporters of a name change have also put forward alternatives like King Tackie Tawiah International Airport and Kwame Nkrumah International Airport.

Indeed, changing the name of a national asset is not unusual. However, as a country where we, during the 2024 general elections, supported the idea to reset the political, economic, cultural and social direction of the country, it is important for the Government to critically review such an intention, especially within the context of political mimicking and repeated mistakes, the implications of the decision on history and heritage, and the potential outcomes on our development gains.

The Government must critically assess the proposal in light of the risk of political imitation and the possibility of repeating historical mistakes.

Renaming prominent institutions without fully examining the precedents set by past decisions could inadvertently perpetuate patterns of political rivalry or division.

Such actions may be interpreted as efforts to erase or rewrite segments of the nation’s history, rather than fostering unity and progress.

Additionally, the implications for Ghana’s rich history and heritage should be at the forefront of the discussion. National assets often serve as living memorials, encapsulating the collective memory of the people and commemorating significant events or figures.

Altering the name of Kotoka International Airport could impact how future generations understand and appreciate the country’s history, and potentially diminish the historical significance attached to the current name.

Furthermore, such a change can spark conflict, particularly if the newly chosen name fails to resonate with or reflect the expectations and sentiments of diverse groups across the country.

In instances where sections of the population feel excluded or believe their heritage has been overlooked, tensions may arise, leading to divisions rather than fostering national unity.

Lastly, the potential effects on Ghana’s development trajectory must be carefully weighed. Renaming the airport could have far-reaching consequences—ranging from potential conflicts among opposition groups, financial costs associated with rebranding and updating legal documents, to the broader impact on international perception and tourism.

The Government ought to ensure that such a decision aligns with the nation’s developmental goals and does not detract from ongoing efforts to promote economic growth and enhance the country’s global image. 

The potential positive developmental that are likely to arise from the name change ought to be effectively assessed, valued and well communicated to the Ghanaian people. After all, the prominent interest of every Ghanaian living today is how such political decisions trickle down to the welfare and betterment of their lives.

In essence, before proceeding with a name change, it is essential for the Government to undertake a comprehensive review, considering the risks of political mimicry, the importance of historical preservation, and the potential developmental outcomes.

This approach will help safeguard the interests of all Ghanaians and ensure that any change contributes positively to the nation’s future.

After considering these factors, it is important that Government engages all relevant stakeholders and the general public to communicate the reasoning behind the proposed change, get the public acceptance before any such decisions are taken.

This will help promote national cohesion, public support and positive developmental outcome from the proposed name change.

Since this issue is presently gaining significant media attention, it is essential for the government to closely monitor developments, collect public feedback, involve all relevant stakeholders, and obtain public approval prior to making or implementing any such decision.