Kotoka Airport Renaming Does Not Require Parliamentary Approval – Transport Minister

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has clarified that the recent renaming of Kotoka International Airport does not require approval from Parliament. The decision, he explained, is based on the airport’s original naming through a decree in 1969.

Addressing the press in Parliament, the Minister stated that calls for legislation are unnecessary, noting that airports in Ghana have historically been renamed via executive instruments, citing the Kumasi and Tamale airports as precedents.

Historical Context

The Minister provided context on the airport’s original naming, explaining that it was enacted through NLCD 309, a decree designed to establish a trust for the families of Kotoka and other soldiers killed at the time.

“You will remember that it came as a result of NLCD 309. It was a decree brought in to set up a trust to support the families of Kotoka and other soldiers who were killed at that time. And it happened that he was killed at the forecourt of the airport,” Minister Nikpe explained.

He emphasised that the primary objective of the decree was to provide support to affected families, with the renaming serving as an honorary gesture.

“If you look at the decree, its intention was to establish a trust to care for the families of the soldiers who were killed. They decided to honour him by renaming the airport after him. The purpose of the decree was to establish a trust,” he added.

No Parliamentary Action Required

On parliamentary involvement, Minister Nikpe was clear that no legislative action is needed.

“There was no legislation in Parliament to operationalise it. So, there is nothing for Parliament to amend or legislate. It was an executive order issued to recognise someone who was killed at the forecourt of the airport,” he said.

He added that the correct approach is through an executive announcement rather than a parliamentary bill.

“The rightful approach is for us to make an executive announcement again that the name is reverted to its original name,” he stated.

Implementation

The Minister confirmed that the renaming has already taken effect and that the new name will soon be updated on official documents and airport signage.

This clarification settles debates over whether legislative backing was necessary and highlights the role of executive instruments in managing airport naming in Ghana.

Source: Accra Business News