A History of Ghana’s Four Republics

Today, Monday, July 1, 2024, marks exactly 64 years since Ghana became a republic in 1960. Although the country attained its independence 67 years ago on March 6, 1957, it became completely free on July 1, 1960.

On this day, Ghana fully liberated itself from British colonial rule. The Queen of England, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was no longer Ghana’s head of state, and the country had its first president, the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

However, this complete independence Ghana gained with its 1st Republic did not last long, as the country’s first president was overthrown just after 5 years and 240 days.

In fact, in the 67 years of independence, Ghana has been a republic for only about 42 years. It has had four republics, with the first three republics being interrupted by military dictatorships.

Below is a brief history of Ghana’s journey through the republics and military dictatorships:

 

1st Republic:

Ghana, after its independence in 1957, became a republic with the country’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, replacing the Queen of England as the executive head of state on July 1, 1960. The 1st Republic of Ghana lasted for about 6 years, from 1960 to 1966.

The late Dr. Nkrumah was deposed as president through a coup on February 24, 1966, by Lieutenant-General Joseph Arthur Ankrah of the National Liberation Council (NLC). The first parliament of the 1st Republic was dissolved, and General Ankrah ruled the country for over 3 years, from February 24, 1966, to April 2, 1969.

General Ankrah resigned on April 2, 1969, and was replaced by Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa, the new Chairman of the NLC, who was the military leader of Ghana for 154 days, from April 2, 1969, to September 3, 1969.

 

2nd Republic:

Brigadier Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa ushered Ghana into its 2nd Republic, which lasted for three years, from 1969 to 1972. Throughout the three years of the 2nd Republic, Ghana had three ceremonial presidents and one prime minister, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia.

Brigadier Afrifa, as the chairman of the Presidential Commission, was Ghana’s president for less than a year, from September 3, 1969, to August 7, 1970. Nii Amaa Ollennu was the President of Ghana from August 7, 1970, to August 31, 1970 (24 days). Edward Akufo-Addo was president for 1 year and 135 days, from August 31, 1970, to January 13, 1972.

Prime Minister Busia and the 3rd president of the 2nd Republic, Edward Akufo-Addo, were removed by General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, the head of the National Redemption Council (NRC), in a military coup on January 13, 1972.

General Acheampong ruled Ghana for 6 years and 173 days, about 3 years as the chairman of the NRC and the remaining as the chairman of the Supreme Military Council (SMC).

Acheampong was removed in a palace coup by Lieutenant General Fred Akuffo, who became the chairman of the SMC and ruled Ghana for 334 days, from July 5, 1978, to June 4, 1979.

Lieutenant General Akuffo was also removed by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, the chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), in another coup. The late Rawlings was the military leader of Ghana for 112 days, from June 4, 1979, to September 24, 1979.

3rd Republic:

Rawlings ushered Ghana into its 3rd Republic with a democratic election. The late Dr. Hilla Limann, who was the flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), won the elections and was President of Ghana for 2 years and 98 days, from September 24, 1979, to December 31, 1981.

Dr. Limann was removed by Rawlings on December 31, 1981.

Rawlings, the chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), ruled Ghana for 11 years and 7 days.

 

4th Republic:

Rawlings ushered Ghana into the 4th Republic, which has lasted for over 30 years and has seen 16 democratic elections and 5 presidents.

Rawlings, himself, was the first President of the 4th Republic. He was President of Ghana from January 7, 1993, to January 7, 2001 (8 years).

Rawlings was succeeded by John Agyekum Kufuor, who ruled from January 7, 2001, to January 7, 2009 (8 years).

The late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills took over from Kufuor and ruled from January 7, 2009, to July 24, 2012 (3 years and 200 days). Prof. Mills passed away on July 24, 2012, and was succeeded by John Dramani Mahama, who was his vice president.

Mahama, after serving the remaining 167 days of Prof. Mills’ term, was elected president and was in office from January 7, 2013, to January 7, 2017 (4 years).

The current President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, took over from Mahama and has been President of Ghana since January 7, 2017.

 

 

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