The Ghana Armed Forces and Police overthrew President Kwame Nkrumah in a coup in Accra, establishing the National Liberation Council (NLC), which suspended the constitution and dismantled key CPP-era political institutions.
Lieutenant General Joseph Arthur Ankrah assumed leadership of the NLC and became Ghana’s head of state, formalizing the new military-led governing authority after the 1966 coup.
Ghana held parliamentary elections—the first since the 1966 coup—setting the stage for the Second Republic and a transfer from NLC rule to an elected civilian government.
The National Liberation Council formally dissolved as constitutional civilian rule began under the Second Republic’s parliamentary system, ending this first post-independence military government period.
Colonel I. K. Acheampong led a bloodless coup that overthrew Prime Minister K. A. Busia’s elected government and established the National Redemption Council (NRC), suspending the constitution and banning political parties.
Under the NRC era, Ghana switched from left-hand to right-hand traffic in the nationwide Operation Keep Right, a major administrative and logistical undertaking associated with the Acheampong period.
A reorganization replaced the NRC with the Supreme Military Council (SMC), making the SMC the highest legislative and administrative authority while maintaining military control under Acheampong.
A national referendum asked voters to approve a proposed Union Government blending military and civilian participation; the vote took place amid controversy and political tension under SMC rule.
A bloodless internal military coup forced Acheampong out; Lieutenant General Fred Akuffo became head of state and led the reconstituted SMC II, continuing a managed transition plan toward elections.
Junior ranks, associated with Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, overthrew the SMC government, establishing the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and launching a brief military regime during an ongoing election process.
During the AFRC period, former head of state I. K. Acheampong and other senior officers were executed by firing squad (Acheampong on 16 June 1979), signaling the junta’s punitive anti-corruption posture and escalating political trauma.
Ghana held general elections (first round) during AFRC rule, with a presidential run-off later; the vote advanced the transition back to constitutional civilian government.
The presidential election run-off was held, producing a decisive victory for Hilla Limann of the People’s National Party and paving the way for the Third Republic.
The AFRC transferred authority to President Hilla Limann, restoring civilian constitutional rule and ending the AFRC’s short junta period.
On New Year’s Eve, Rawlings led another successful coup that deposed President Limann and created the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), reimposing military-led rule amid severe economic and political tensions.
Ghana: Coups and Military Governments (1966–1981)
