Former Presidential Staffer and senior member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), PV Jantuah Boateng Dadson, has strongly opposed government’s plans to rename the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport.
Speaking in an interview with Kojo Marfo on DayBreak programme at Fakye TV monitored by Kumasimail, Mr. Jantuah described the proposal as unnecessary and questioned its relevance at a time when, according to him, the country faces more pressing national concerns.
“I completely disagree with my government on this matter, especially at this moment. If you change Kotoka’s name now, what will it do for us?,” Mr. Jantuah stated.
His comments follow an announcement by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, indicating that government intends to introduce a bill through the Minister of Transport to change the name of Ghana’s main international airport from “Kotoka International Airport” to “Accra International Airport.”
Mr. Jantuah expressed deep disapproval of the move, recalling similar renaming initiatives under previous administrations which, he argued, yielded no tangible national benefit.
“In the last eight years, if naming ceremonies could change a nation’s fortunes, then under Akufo-Addo, Bawumia, and Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana would have been rich,” he remarked. “They named almost everything, yet nothing significant came out of it.”
Questioning the government’s priorities, he said current national debates such as the ongoing discussions around Ghana’s cocoa sector deserved far more attention than symbolic gestures like renaming institutions.
“If there’s a bill that truly matters now, it’s the LGBTQ+ bill. Passing it would prove that we stand by our principles and promises. Changing the airport’s name does nothing for ordinary Ghanaians,” he added.
Mr. Jantuah also criticized the Majority Leader’s decision to focus on the airport renaming while important legislation remains pending in Parliament.
“With over 600 bills before Parliament, is this what the Majority Leader chose to talk about?,” he asked.
Using a personal anecdote to illustrate his point, he said: “My friend from Ashtown was called Kwabena Poku. People used to call him Poku Transport, saying that when he grew up, he would own vehicles. But when he finally grew up, he couldn’t even buy a bicycle. So, if naming ceremonies could make someone rich, he should have been wealthy.
“There are serious issues that need attention; changing the airport’s name is not one of them,” he added.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
