Armed Forces Revolutionary Council
Overview
Established4 June 1979 (1979-06-04)
Dissolved24 September 1979 (1979-09-24)
StateGhana
LeaderChairman (Jerry Rawlings)
HeadquartersAccra

The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) was the military Junta that seized power in Ghana from June 4, 1979, to September 24, 1979.

4 June military coup

The AFRC came to power in a 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. During the fighting that ensued throughout the day, a number of military personnel lost their lives. These include Major General Odartey-Wellington who led the government's resistance to the coup d'état. Others who fell that day included another officer, Colonel Joseph Enningful who was a former Commander of the Support Services of the Ghana Armed Forces. Other soldiers who died that day include Second-Lieutenant J. Agyemang Bio, Corporal William Tingan, Lance Corporal Sorkpor, Trooper Samuel Larsey, Trooper Emmanuel Koranteng-Apau, Lance Corporal Gabriel Follivi and Lance Corporal Mamudu Kalifa. They were all buried with full military honours at the Osu Military Cemetery in Accra.[1]

House cleaning exercise

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[2] deemed to have been corrupt by the special courts set up by the government.[3] 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.[4]

AFRC Members

Position Name Dates Notes
Head of state of Ghana and ChairmanFlight Lieutenant Jerry John RawlingsJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
Official SpokesmanCaptain Kojo Boakye-Djan[5]Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberMajor Mensah-PokuJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberMajor Mensah GbedemahJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberLieutenant Commander H. C. ApalooJun 1979 – ?[4]Died following traffic accident
MemberCaptain Kwabena Baah Achamfuor[6]19 Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberWarrant Officer (II) Harry K. ObengJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberStaff Seargent Alex AdjeiJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberCorporal Owusu BoatengJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberLeading Aircraftman John N. Gatsiko[7]Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Peter Tasiri[7]Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Ansah AtiemoJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberLance Corporal Sarkodee-AddoJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberCorporal Sheikh TettehJun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979
MemberPrivate Owusu AduJun 1979 – 24 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 H. C. Apaloo died in a road traffic accident before the end of AFRC rule.[4]

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.

List of commissioners (ministers) of state

Portfolio Commissioner Time frame Notes
Commissioner for Foreign AffairsGloria Amon Nikoi[8]1979
Attorney General and Commissioner for JusticeA. N. E. Amissah[9]26 June 1979– ?
Commissioner for Finance and Economic PlanningDr. J. L. S. Abbey[8]1979
Commissioner for Trade and Tourism
Commissioner for Interior and
Inspector General of Police		C. O. Lamptey1979 – 26 June 1979
Ben Forjoe[9]26 June 1979 – ?
Commissioner for Lands, Natural ResourcesGeorge Benneh[8]1979
Commissioner for Fuel and Power
Commissioner for IndustriesAnthony Woode[8]1979
Commissioner for Labour and Social Welfare
Commissioner for Transport and CommunicationsGeorge Harlley[8]1979
Commissioner for Works and Housing
Commissioner for AgricultureAbeifaa Karbo[8][10]June 1979 – September 1979
Commissioner for InformationKwame Afreh[11]1979
Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs
Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and CooperativesNii Anyetei Kwakwranyra1979 – 26 June 1979
Kofi Badu[8][9]26 June 1979 –?
Commissioner for Local Government &
Commissioner for Sports		Kofi Badu1979 – 26 June 1979
Nii Anyetei Kwakwranyra[9][8]26 June 1979 – ?
Commissioner for Education and CultureEmmanuel Evans-Anfom[8]1979
Commissioner for Health
Regional Commissioners
Ashanti Regional CommissionerColonel R. K. Zumah1979
Brong Ahafo RegionLieutenant Commander I. K. Awuku1979
Central RegionKobena Gyapea Erbynn[8]1979
Eastern RegionS. H. Annancy[8]1979
Greater Accra Regional CommissionerE. R. K. Dwemoh[8]1979
Northern RegionLieutenant Colonel L. K. Kodjiku1979
Upper RegionMajor M. Gyabaah1979
Volta Regional CommissionerLieutenant Colonel G.K. Amevor1979
Western RegionJ. S. Amenlema[8]1979

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Eight Top Officers Executed". Ghana News. Washington: Embassy of Ghana. 8 (7): 6. July 1979. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. 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.
  5. ↑ Jubilee Ghana. A 50-year news journey thro' Graphic. Accra: Graphic Communications Group Ltd. 2006. p. 218. ISBN 9988-8097-8-6.
  6. ↑ "Ex-AFRC man sets records straight". Modern Ghana. 15 July 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Membership of the AFRC". Ghana News. Washington: Embassy of Ghana. 8 (7): 6. July 1979. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "New Portfolios For Commissioners". Ghana News. Washington: Embassy of Ghana. 8 (7): 10. July 1979. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Jubilee Ghana. A 50-year news journey thro' Graphic. Accra: Graphic Communications Group Ltd. 2006. p. 219. ISBN 9988-8097-8-6.
  10. ↑ "State Burial for Naa Abeifaa Karbo". Modern Ghana. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "New Portfolios For Commissioners". Ghana News. Washington: Embassy of Ghana. 8 (7): 9. July 1979. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
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