Stonebwoy reacts to Kotoka Airport renaming; calls for national interest and positive narrative

According to the award-winning musician, the proposed change is not entirely new. He noted that the airport previously bore the name Accra International Airport and argued that any renaming should be driven by clear and nationally relevant reasons.

“It used to be called Accra International Airport anyway, so when the name goes back, for whatever reason, I would believe that the reasons are clear, the reasons are politically accurate, and are very nationalistic—I would believe so,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Accra on Wednesday, February 4.

Stonebwoy emphasized that the renaming must result in tangible benefits and help project a positive image of Ghana.

“But should this change and it doesn’t reflect any upliftment, then I think I wouldn’t side with that. But if it’s going to reflect upliftment and uplift a positive narrative about this nation, I’m for that.”

He also revealed a personal connection to General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, after whom the airport is currently named, explaining that the late general hails from his hometown, Alakple. He acknowledged the complex historical narratives associated with Kotoka’s role in Ghana’s political history.

“Kotoka is actually from my hometown. I’m from Alakple. Anybody who knows the right history knows that General Kotoka comes from Alakple, my actual hometown. And history will tell us how he participated in the coup d’état that would have dethroned Kwame Nkrumah. So that’s the narrative that has been tagged around him for the name change of the airport.”