Proposal to Name Ghana’s International Airport After King Tackie Tawiah Sparks Cultural and National Debate
As national conversations intensify around the proposed renaming of Ghana’s main international airport, Ambassador Sylvester Parker-Allotey, Chief of Protocol and Communication to the Ga Mantse, has added a new and culturally grounded dimension to the debate. He has proposed that the airport be named after the late King Tackie Tawiah, a revered Ga paramount ruler, in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of Accra and the wider Ga State.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, Ambassador Parker-Allotey argued that the current discussions must go beyond political figures and also consider eminent traditional leaders whose legacies are deeply intertwined with the history, identity and custodianship of the capital city.
“I personally think that somebody like King Tackie Tawiah has done a lot as a chief and as an overlord of Accra,” he said. “If his name were to be used, it would be very appropriate.”
Reframing the Airport Renaming Debate
His comments come at a time when the government, through the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has announced plans to rename Kotoka International Airport, sparking renewed public debate over history, democracy, and national symbolism. While much of the discussion has focused on whether the airport should retain a neutral name such as Accra International Airport, Ambassador Parker-Allotey’s proposal reframes the issue through the lens of traditional authority and indigenous heritage.
According to him, naming the airport after King Tackie Tawiah would honour a figure whose leadership predates modern political divisions and whose influence helped shape Accra long before it became Ghana’s capital.
Who Was King Tackie Tawiah?
King Tackie Tawiah, also known as Tackie Tawiah I, was a prominent Ga Mantse (paramount chief of the Ga State) during a critical period in Accra’s history. He played a significant role in:
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Consolidating Ga authority
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Managing relations between indigenous Ga communities and colonial administrators
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Preserving Ga customs, land rights and governance structures
Traditional historians describe him as a ruler whose leadership helped stabilise Accra during times of political transition and external pressure. For many Ga people, his reign symbolises indigenous leadership, resilience and continuity in the face of colonial and post-colonial transformations.
The Importance of Land and Custodianship
A central pillar of Ambassador Parker-Allotey’s argument is the fact that Kotoka International Airport sits on Ga land. As such, he believes the custodians of that land—the Ga traditional authorities—must play a central role in determining any new name.
“The airport is on Ga land,” he explained. “It is important that the custodians of the land are involved in deciding what name is appropriate.”
This assertion touches on a broader issue that has long shaped relations between the state and traditional authorities in urban Ghana: the balance between national development and indigenous land ownership. Many traditional leaders have repeatedly called for greater recognition of customary land rights and cultural heritage in national decision-making.
Call for Broad Consultation
Ambassador Parker-Allotey was emphatic that any decision to rename the airport should not be rushed or imposed from above. Instead, he called for broad and structured consultations, particularly involving the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
“The change should be something which should be done in consultation with the Regional House of Chiefs,” he said, “where we have our traditional leaders who can come to a consensus on the type of name to be used.”
Such consultations, he argued, would ensure legitimacy, cultural sensitivity and unity, rather than deepening divisions or creating resentment among local communities.
Traditional Authority in Modern Ghana
The proposal highlights the enduring relevance of traditional leadership in Ghana’s modern governance system. While Ghana operates a constitutional democracy, chiefs continue to play a critical role in:
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Cultural preservation
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Land administration
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Conflict resolution
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Community cohesion
By suggesting a traditional ruler as a namesake for the airport, Ambassador Parker-Allotey is effectively advocating for a hybrid national memory—one that integrates democratic values with indigenous heritage.
National vs Local Identity
The suggestion is likely to generate debate beyond the Ga State. Critics may argue that a national gateway such as the international airport should bear a name with nationwide resonance, rather than one tied to a specific ethnic group or locality.
Supporters, however, counter that Accra itself is inseparable from Ga history, and that recognising a Ga ruler does not diminish national unity but rather affirms the capital’s indigenous roots.
Some cultural analysts note that many world capitals honour local historical figures without undermining national identity, arguing that Ghana could do the same.
A Shift Away from Political Personalities
Another notable aspect of the proposal is its departure from naming public institutions after political or military figures. Given the controversies surrounding names linked to coups or partisan politics, some see traditional rulers as less divisive symbols.
King Tackie Tawiah, proponents argue, represents leadership rooted in culture, continuity and community rather than political power struggles.
What Happens Next?
Any renaming of Ghana’s international airport would require:
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A formal bill before Parliament
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Parliamentary debate and approval
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Engagement with traditional authorities
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Public consultations
Ambassador Parker-Allotey’s proposal adds a new option to the table—one that Parliament, government officials, civil society and traditional leaders will likely scrutinise in the coming months.
Conclusion
The call to name Ghana’s main international airport after King Tackie Tawiah has injected a powerful cultural perspective into an already complex national debate. By centring indigenous history, land custodianship and traditional leadership, the proposal challenges the nation to rethink how it honours its past and defines its symbols.
As discussions continue, one thing is clear: the question of what Ghana names its principal gateway to the world is not merely administrative. It is a reflection of identity, memory and belonging—and how the nation chooses to balance its democratic aspirations with its ancestral roots.
