Former Majority Leader of Parliament and MP for Suame, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has argued that changing the name of Kotoka International Airport will have no impact on Ghana’s economy and should not be pursued at the expense of historical accuracy.
Speaking on Angel FM in Kumasi, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said he does not see the relevance of renaming the airport, stressing that such a move would not improve the country’s economic fortunes in any way.
“I do not see the use of the change of the name. It does not affect the country in any way,” he stated.
He emphasised that Ghana’s history must be treated honestly and not selectively rewritten. According to him, historical figures should be assessed fairly, acknowledging both their achievements and shortcomings. Using Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as an example, he noted that while Nkrumah played a key role in Ghana’s development and helped project the country across Africa, he also made decisions that negatively affected the nation.
He cited the introduction of a communist-style system and other governance issues as some of the factors that contributed to public dissatisfaction and eventually led to the 1966 coup.
“Nkrumah was not an angel; he was a mere mortal,” he said, insisting that balanced historical reflection is necessary.
Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also questioned the rationale behind proposals to rename existing universities and public institutions. He argued that instead of changing established names, governments should focus on creating new institutions and naming them appropriately.
“We never changed the name of any school. We rather created new schools and named them,” he explained.
He further stressed that Ghana’s political and historical story is broader than the current NPP and NDC narrative, adding that the CPP also remains an important part of the country’s history and must be acknowledged.
He concluded by urging leaders to prioritise substance over symbolism and to preserve Ghana’s history without distortion.
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