Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben South in the Eastern Region, Isaac Appau Gyasi, has advised the government to prioritise the welfare of teachers and health practitioners rather than investing state resources in renaming facilities such as the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
He added that funds earmarked for the pending renaming ceremony of the KIA is a misplaced priority and less significant to the Ghanaian people who voted the government into power.
Mr. Appau made this statement on Angel TV over the proposed change of name of the KIA to the Accra International Airport (AIA) by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
Speaking to Ohemaa Sakyiwaa on Anopa Bofo, he stated that the money intended for the renaming would be better used to settle outstanding payments owed to aggrieved teachers and health workers.
“I don’t get it, I feel like the money we will use for the name change should be used to pay unpaid nurses, and the University Dons who want to go on strike,” he pointed out on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
According to the former government appointee, the country has fundamental problems that need urgent attention, instead of investing a huge sum to change the name of someone who served the country.
“We have fundamental problems which require money to solve, instead, you are going to waste a huge amount of money to change the name of ‘Kotoka’ who served Ghana as a Military officer,” he said.
Mr. Appau contended that Ghana is already marketed through the name Kotoka, a situation which further suggests that the government should allocate any funds for the renaming to initiatives, including the 24-hour economy policy.
“We have already marketed Ghana through the usage of the name Kotoka already, why won’t we use that money to solve the 24-hour economy,” he said.
He maintained his stance against the renaming and described it as an unserious issue being given maximum attention at the expense of many pressing challenges facing the country.
The former MCE, however, urged the John Dramani Mahama-led administration to focus on stabilising the economy to reflect positively on citizens.
“In the future, if we analyze our situation and make informed decisions about name changes, I would have no problem with that, not this time, when we have funds available while people are still hungry,” he observed.
NPP has no moral right to criticize NDC administration over KIA name change – Asunafo North MP
Source: Christabel Opare
