Dear Students of Ghana,
I write to you not as a mere observer of history, but as a fellow Ghanaian deeply concerned about the trajectory of our great nation. Today, I urge you to reflect on a matter of grave importance—one that concerns the very identity of our country and the dignity of its people. This matter is the name of our primary international gateway, the Kotoka International Airport, a name that stands as a dishonour to Ghana’s aspirations for true independence and progress.
It is imperative that we, as the future leaders of Ghana, understand the historical truth behind the name Kotoka and the impact of his actions on our nation. Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka is not a hero to be celebrated, but rather a figure whose betrayal set back Ghana’s journey towards true economic and political sovereignty. His role in the 1966 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was not an act of patriotism but an attack on the very foundation of our independence.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a visionary leader, fought tirelessly to free our nation from colonial domination. He sought to build a self-reliant, industrialized Ghana, where Africans could determine their own destiny without external interference. Under his leadership, Ghana was on the path to becoming a beacon of progress for the entire continent, with major infrastructure projects, industrial initiatives, and educational reforms that were unparalleled at the time.
However, the 1966 coup led by Kotoka, in collaboration with foreign interests, shattered this vision. The coup was not about freedom or democracy; it was about reversing the gains of independence and making Ghana once again subservient to neocolonial forces. The overthrow of Nkrumah disrupted our economic transformation, dismantled our industrialization efforts, and opened the door to foreign control of our resources. To this day, Ghana struggles to reclaim its lost economic independence, and the consequences of that coup continue to haunt our nation.
It is, therefore, a great injustice that our main airport bears the name of the very man who contributed to the undoing of Ghana’s progress. By keeping the name Kotoka, we are glorifying betrayal and dishonouring the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom. This is not just a symbolic issue—it is a matter of national consciousness. If we truly wish to reclaim our dignity and set Ghana on the path of genuine development, we must erase the remnants of our oppressors and their agents from our institutions.
This is why I call upon you, the students of Ghana, to rise to the occasion. You are the custodians of our future, the ones who must correct the injustices of the past. It is time to demand that Kotoka’s name be removed from our airport and replaced with a name that truly reflects our pride, our struggles, and our aspirations. Perhaps a name that honours Nkrumah, or one that represents Ghana’s unbreakable spirit.
We must educate ourselves and others about our history, mobilize our voices, and press our leaders to take action. The change will not come from silence, but from a united force determined to uphold the truth. We owe it to ourselves, to the generations before us, and to the future of Ghana.
Let us not allow Cnational identity to be tainted by the legacy of betrayal. Let us stand together and reclaim our narrative. Ghana deserves better, and it is up to us to make it happen.
To take action and sign the petition to rename Kotoka International Airport, visit: https://powerafrika.com/rename-kotoka-airport/
In the spirit of true independence,
PowerAfrika