Prominent playwright and entertainment figure, George Quaye, has raised questions about the tradition of naming Ghana’s airport after politicians, suggesting that the airport could instead be named after influential creatives.

In a post on Facebook on February 24, 2025, Mr.Quaye proposed that figures such as filmmaker Kwaw Ansah, the iconic band Osibisa, or poet Atukwei Okai could be considered for the honour, rather than another political figure.

“Must the airport necessarily be named after a politician? How about Kwaw Ansah, Osibisa, or Atukwei Okai International Airport?” he asked.

Quaye’s remarks come amid ongoing legal proceedings at the Supreme Court, where a lawsuit is seeking the removal of the name of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka from the airport. The plaintiffs, Democracy Hub and the Convention People’s Party (CPP), argue that Kotoka played a pivotal role in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and that his name should not continue to be honoured.

There are differing opinions on the matter, with some advocating for the airport to be renamed after Nkrumah, while others believe that Ghana’s cultural and artistic pioneers deserve the recognition.

Kwaw Ansah, a renowned filmmaker, has contributed significantly to Ghanaian cinema, with works like Heritage Africa and Love Brewed in the African Pot. The band Osibisa brought Ghanaian music to international prominence, and Atukwei Okai, a respected poet, was an advocate for African literature and Pan-Africanism.

Mr. Quaye’s suggestion has sparked a mixed response on social media, with some supporting the idea and others arguing that political figures like Nkrumah hold greater symbolic importance for the country’s identity.

Source:TheDotNews