Policy Analyst and Engineer, Michael Kosi Dedey, has argued that the late Lieutenant General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka should be remembered in history but not celebrated as a national hero in Ghana.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily show on Wednesday, February 4, Ing Kosi Dedey said Kotoka’s role in the February 24, 1966 coup that ousted Dr. Kwame Nkrumah can be acknowledged, but it does not justify honoring him with national symbols or landmarks.
“History must be taught so that people know the role he played, and then people can judge clearly that no, he’s either a hero or a villain, and therefore his name must not be put on any national symbol,” he said.
He stressed that while coups in Ghana have often been celebrated by segments of the population at the time, this does not make the leaders of such actions heroes.
“That is why, we made a law to say that the celebration of June 4 should no longer be… banned, because the democratic dispensation does not celebrate coups,” Ing Kosi added.
This follows an announcement by Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga that the Kotoka International Airport will be renamed to Accra International Airport.
The Leader of Government Business noted that the Ministry of Transport will be introducing a legislative instrument to effect the name change.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, February 3, the Majority Leader noted that the proposal is intended to reflect a broader national identity.
