Stonebwoy
Reggae-dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, has added his voice to the debate on the government’s plan to rename Kotoka International Airport, saying General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka may have done something good to deserve having the airport named after him.
Speaking on the proposed change to Accra International Airport, Stonebwoy said he does not believe Kotoka was a bad person throughout his life, adding that any decision to rename the airport must be backed by a compelling and nationally relevant reason.
“If the name is being changed, then it has to be for another good reason,” he said, stressing that naming a major national facility should reflect merit and positive impact.
The award-winning musician noted that the proposed name is not new, pointing out that the airport was previously called Accra International Airport. He said a return to the old name should be driven by clear, patriotic and politically sound considerations.
“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, politically accurate, and very nationalistic,” Stonebwoy said during an interview with 1957 news on the sidelines of the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Accra on Wednesday, February 4.
Stonebwoy added that the renaming must bring tangible benefits and help project a positive image of the country internationally.
“But if this change doesn’t reflect any upliftment, then I wouldn’t side with that. If it’s going to uplift a positive narrative about this nation, I’m for that,” he stated.
He also revealed a personal connection to General Kotoka, noting that the late military officer hails from his hometown, Alakple. Stonebwoy acknowledged the controversial role Kotoka played in Ghana’s political history, particularly his involvement in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
That history, he said, has fuelled calls from some quarters for the airport’s renaming, with critics arguing that Kotoka does not represent values the nation should celebrate.
However, Stonebwoy urged a balanced view, saying no individual should be judged as entirely evil.
“I don’t believe that one human being can be so evil all his life. There must be some good aspects. So the fact that he got to be named after the airport may be because of his good deeds,” he said.
Stonebwoy’s comments add to the growing national debate over the proposed renaming of Ghana’s main international airport, a discussion that continues to touch on history, national identity and symbolism.
By Francis Addo