Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Ghana
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 Chairman Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Official Spokesman Captain Kojo osahene Boakye Gyan Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Major Mensah-Poku Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Major Mensah Gbedemah Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Lieutenant Commander H. C. Apaloo Jun 1979 – ?[3] Died following traffic accident
Member Captain Kwabena Baah Achamfuor Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Warrant Officer (II) Harry K. Obeng Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Staff Seargent Alex Adjei Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Corporal Owusu Boateng Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Leading Aircraftman John N. Gatsiko Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Lance Corporal Peter Tasiri Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Lance Corporal Ansah Atiemo Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Lance Corporal Sarkodee-Addo Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Corporal Sheikh Tetteh Jun 1979 – Sep 1979
Member Private Owusu Adu Jun 1979 – Sep 1979

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 Affairs Gloria Amon Nikoi 1979
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice A.N.E. Amissah 1979
Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning
Commissioner for Trade and Tourism
Dr. J.L.S. Abbey 1979
Commissioner for Interior and
Inspector General of Police
C.O. Lamptey 1979
Commissioner for Lands, Natural Resources
Commissioner for Fuel and Power
George Benneh 1979
Commissioner for Industries, Labour and Social Welfare Anthony Woode 1979
Commissioner for Transport and Communications
Commissioner for Works and Housing
George Harlley 1979
Commissioner for Agriculture Abayifa Karbo 1979
Commissioner for Information and Cocoa Affairs Kwame Afreh 1979
Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives Nii Anyetei Kwakrwanyra 1979
Commissioner for Local Government and Sports Kofi Badu 1979
Commissioner for Education and Culture
Commissioner for Health
E. Evans Anfom 1979
Regional Commissioners
Ashanti Region Colonel R. K. Zumah 1979
Brong Ahafo Region Lieutenant Commander I. K. Awuku 1979
Central Region Dr. Kobena Gyapea Erbynn 1979
Eastern Region S. H. Annancy 1979
Greater Accra Region E. R. K. Dwemoh 1979
Northern Region Lieuenant Colonel L. K. Kodjiku 1979
Upper Region Major M. Gyabaah 1979
Volta Region Lieutenant Commander G.K. Amevor 1979
Western Region J. S. Amelemah 1979

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 GMT. 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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