Professor Eric KK Abavare, President of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has urged President John Mahama to ignore critics and proceed with plans to rename Kotoka International Airport.
In a statement, Prof. Abavare argued that the principle involved is simple: “You cannot name something for yourself when you did not build it.” He described the 1966 coup that overthrew Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s government as a “terrible betrayal” and said it was wrong for the beneficiary of that betrayal to have an edifice built by the betrayed named after himself.
Prof. Abavare praised President Mahama’s decision to rename the airport, saying it was a correction of a historical injustice. He also criticised some Ghanaian leaders for ignoring the principle involved and failing to act sooner.
The UTAG President also drew parallels between the renaming of the airport and President Kuffour’s introduction of Friday wear in 2001, which promoted local textiles. He urged President Mahama to ignore critics and do what is right, saying, “Posterity will be pleased with you.”
Prof. Abavare also expressed disappointment that the galamsey menace continues to destroy Ghana’s arable lands and called on the President to prioritise the issue and ensure that the GHC150 million budgeted for NAIMOS operations is released.
