By Maxwell Awumah
Ho, Feb. 05, GNA -Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHCs) has waded into government’s contemplation to rename the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as Accra International Airport, with the processes commencing in Parliament.
He told the Ghana News Agency in a private capacity, not as the President of the House or Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, that the renaming of the Airport was not a priority for the country now.
He said the country was twirling under many crucial issues to be resolved than the renaming of an Airport.
The KIA was renamed in 1969 in the memory of General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, after a mutiny, which led to his death.
Togbe Tepre Hodo, however added in his person disposition that, there was no justification to name the Airport after General Kotoka, in the first instance, for his betrayal, as the 1966 coup was master-minded by foreign imperialists agents to overthrow a legitimate government.
He believed that naming individuals after state monuments must command good deeds.
On the flip side, some Ghanaians and communities had hailed and seen the 1966 coup as a saviour as they thought Dr Kwame Nkrumah was overstepping bounds and slipping into dictatorship, as political opponents were dealt with harshly and under the ‘Preventive Detention ACT (PDA).’
The PDA offered the Prime Minister the power to detain individuals up to five years and later extended indefinitely without trial, among others were lauded for the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah.
Gbi Bla, in the heart of Hohoe, still holds the statue of General Kotoka.
Togbe Tepre Hodo said “I have objection to the renaming. No Tribal sentiments at all.”
He said those who are interested in stoking the tribal sentiments, should know that “Kotoka did not stage the coup because he was an Ewe.”
The airport was originally opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport and was renamed in 1969 in honour of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
The proposal to revert to the original name was announced by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Mahama Ayariga, and has since generated public debate across the country.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo