Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana

Ghana
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Constitution

The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) was the government of Ghana from June 4, 1979 to September 24, 1979. It came to power in a bloody coup that removed the Supreme Military Council, another military regime, from power. The June 4 coup was preceded by an abortive attempt on May 15, 1979 when Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings and other ranks were arrested. Their trial only served to make them popular till they were eventually released on the morning of June 4 by young officers and noncommissioned officers inspired by Rawlings.

The regime started a 'House cleaning' exercise against corruption. Three former military leaders of Ghana, Lt. Gen. Afrifa, Gen. Acheampong and Lt. Gen. Akuffo were all executed together with five other senior officers[1] deemed to have been corrupt by the special courts set up by the government.[2] Numerous business entrepreneurs were also targeted and unlawfully had their assets confiscated by the AFRC government including J. K. Siaw.

The AFRC allowed already scheduled elections to go ahead and handed over to the duly elected Dr. Hilla Limann of the People's National Party who became the only president of the Third Republic of Ghana.

Membership

The AFRC consisted of 15 members.[3]

Position Name Dates Notes
Head of state of Ghana and ChairmanFlight Lieutenant Jerry John RawlingsJun 1979 – Sep 1979
Official SpokesmanCaptain Kojo osahene Boakye GyanJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberMajor Mensah-PokuJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberMajor Mensah GbedemahJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberLieutenant Commander H. C. ApalooJun 1979 – ?[3]Died following traffic accident
MemberCaptain Kwabena Baah AchamfuorJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberWarrant Officer (II) Harry K. ObengJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberStaff Seargent Alex AdjeiJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberCorporal Owusu BoatengJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberLeading Aircraftman John N. GatsikoJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Peter TasiriJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Ansah AtiemoJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Sarkodee-AddoJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberCorporal Sheikh TettehJun 1979 – Sep 1979
MemberPrivate Owusu AduJun 1979 – Sep 1979
  • Captain Henry Smith – one of the architects of the uprising and described by officers and soldiers in June 1979 as the officer who was responsible for the success of the uprising – declined membership of the AFRC. He was, nevertheless, given the portfolio of "special duties" and was also put in charge of the Foreign Affairs ministry.

Lieutenant Commander HC Apaloo died in a road traffic accident before the end of AFRC rule.[3]

Commissioners

Commissioners were in place of Ministers of state and most carried on from the previous government. A number of commissioners had to cover additional ministries during the period of the AFRC.

Portfolio Commissioner Time frame Notes
Commissioner for Foreign AffairsGloria Amon Nikoi1979
Attorney General and Commissioner for JusticeA.N.E. Amissah1979
Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning
Commissioner for Trade and Tourism		Dr. J.L.S. Abbey1979
Commissioner for Interior and
Inspector General of Police		C.O. Lamptey1979
Commissioner for Lands, Natural Resources
Commissioner for Fuel and Power		George Benneh1979
Commissioner for Industries, Labour and Social WelfareAnthony Woode1979
Commissioner for Transport and Communications
Commissioner for Works and Housing		George Harlley1979
Commissioner for AgricultureAbayifa Karbo1979
Commissioner for Information and Cocoa AffairsKwame Afreh1979
Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and CooperativesNii Anyetei Kwakrwanyra1979
Commissioner for Local Government and SportsKofi Badu1979
Commissioner for Education and Culture
Commissioner for Health		E. Evans Anfom1979
Regional Commissioners
Ashanti RegionColonel R. K. Zumah1979
Brong Ahafo RegionLieutenant Commander I. K. Awuku1979
Central RegionDr. Kobena Gyapea Erbynn1979
Eastern RegionS. H. Annancy1979
Greater Accra RegionE. R. K. Dwemoh1979
Northern RegionLieutenant Colonel L. K. Kodjiku1979
Upper RegionMajor M. Gyabaah1979
Volta RegionLieutenant Commander G.K. Amevor1979
Western RegionJ. S. Amelemah1979

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kwaku Sakyi-Addo (2007-03-01). "The reality of Ghana's independence". Part Two of Ghana, Winds Of Change was broadcast on BBC World Service on Monday 5 March at 0930 UTC. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
  2. ↑ "Historical Development of the Courts after Independence". Official Website. Judicial Service of Ghana. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Security Services" (PDF). Report of the National Reconciliation Commission. Ghana government. October 2004. p. 46. Archived from the original (pdf) on October 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
Preceded by
Supreme Military Council (1975–1978)		 Government of Ghana
(Military Regime)
Jun 1979 – Sept 1979		 Succeeded by
Limann government (1979–1981)
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