The Centre of National Interest and Research (CNIR-GH), has kicked against the suggestion to rename the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra, after Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President.
The centre said other nationalists such as Jacob Wilson, Alfred John K. Ocansey, Tetteh Quarshie and George Alfred P. Grant deserved to be honoured with a national monument for their selfless contributions towards the country’s independence.
There have been widespread public discussions and media reports on whether or not the international airport named after Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka,a member of the National Liberation Council, that overthrew Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1966 should be renamed.
Photo: Victor A. Buxton
Some proponents were of the view that Dr Nkrumah was the one who built the airport and not Lt Gen. Kotoka, who led the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Dr Dzabaku Kudiabor Ocansey, the Executive Director of CNIR– GH and Covenor of the Century Agenda initiative, briefing journalists on the renaming of the airport debate, on Tuesday in Accra, noted that several pioneers played significant role in the struggle for Ghana’s independence and nationalism and therefore must be recognised.
“There are monuments at interchanges, roundabouts, museums, parks,streets, at compounds of building, schools and places in the name of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Dr J. B. Danquah, Obetsebi-Lamptey among others which make it look like they were the only persons who fought for Ghana’s independence,” he noted.
According to the Executive Director, George Alfred P. Grant, Jacob Wilson, Alfred John K. Ocansey and others were very instrumental in Dr Kwame Nkrumah and J. B. Danquah’s involvement in attaining independence for Ghana, but they recieve little praise or nothing monumental in their honour.
Dr Ocansey hinted that the centre would petition the four Independent Members of Parliament to initiate a national heroes bill, to enable goverment to institute awards scheme aimed at recognising the contributions of all nationalists.
“CNIR-GH will soon petition with supporting documents from the four Independent MPs in Parliament to consider proposing a national heroes bill aimed at recognising the contributions of all nationalists and pioneers like Jacob Wilson, Alfred John K. Ocansey, Tetteh Quarshie, George Alfred P. Grant and others,” he said.
Dr Ocansey said the centre would also petition the Constititional Review Committee because those nationalists sacrificed their personal resources and time in contributing to Ghana’s independence.
BY VICTOR A. BUXTON
