Minority Leader in parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over plans to rename the Kotoka International Airport, describing the move as an indictment on the party and a betrayal of the Volta Region.
According to him, the name Kotoka International Airport, Accra, has existed for decades and successive governments have made no attempt to change it.
He questioned why the current government would suddenly seek to remove the name of General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka from the airport.
“After all these years, we have had General Kotoka’s name on the airport, and suddenly it must be changed. What is it?” he asked.
Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that Accra is already clearly identified in the airport’s name, making it unnecessary to remove Kotoka’s name.
“The name is Kotoka International Airport, Accra. Accra is already there, so there is no need to remove Kotoka’s name,” he said.
He further noted that very few national assets or monuments in the country are named after prominent figures from the Volta Region, stressing that the airport remains one of the few symbols recognising heroism from the area.
“This is the only thing people from the Volta Region can point to as recognition of heroism from their region, and now even that is being taken away,” he stated.
The Minority Leader expressed disappointment in senior NDC officials from the Volta Region, accusing them of remaining silent while the name is being removed.
He mentioned figures such as the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey; First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor ; and other senior party officials from the region, noting that they are all part of the current administration.
“They are all in government, watching while a Voltarian’s name is taken away from our national airport. Successive governments never attempted this, but now it is happening under their watch,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin called on supporters of the NDC, particularly those from the Volta Region, to oppose the move and defend what he described as their pride and heritage.
By: Jacob Aggrey