Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari has dismissed concerns that reverting Kotoka International Airport to its original name, Accra International Airport, will impose a significant financial burden on the state.
According to him, the changes required are largely cosmetic and administrative, with no impact at the international aviation level.
Addressing the media on February 24, the Minister explained that Ghana’s international aviation codes have remain unchanged.
“Since the name change of Accra to Kotoka we have not changed the country code. ICAO still maintains the country code DGAA, IATA under ICAO still maintains the country code ACC. So there’s nothing to change at the international level.”
He stressed that the only visible adjustments involve signage and branded materials.
“The only thing to change is the signage and the billboards that we have, but Kotoka as a company they already have the vendors who produce theirs letter heads in daily basis so it’s not a new contract.”
“The same vendors who were doing the letter heads and stamps are the same companies to continue. Just a removal of Kotoka, and it will be Accra. So what will be the cost there?” He questioned.
The Minister further noted that ongoing renovation and construction works at the airport make the transition even less costly.
“We’re already renovating and doing construction on the airport to make it functional properly, and some of those things would have been destroyed and rebranded. It’s just the matter of Kotoka out, and Accra in.”
While acknowledging that some expenditure will be involved, he maintained that it would be inexpensive.
“Even though there will be some cost to it but it is not that cost that somebody will care about. It’s going to be a minimum, because of the renovation. The cost involved will be very small, as compared to other airports that you have to deal international, regional and national.“
Responding to public concerns, he added,
“So those who talk about the cost, yes they are right to ask because this is taxpayers money, how is it going to be used. I want to assure them that because of internal arrangements that have been made so far, it is not going to add any huge cost to the operation.”
On February 23, 2026, the Ministry of Transport formally announced that Kotoka International Airport had been restored to its original 1958 name, Accra International Airport.
Government officials have argued that the restoration reflects historical correction, national identity considerations and branding strategy, while some critics have questioned the cost implications of the change.
