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]
AFRC Members[] | |||||
| 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 | |||
- 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.
List of commissioners (ministers) of state[] | |||||
| 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 | |||
See also[]
- History of Ghana (1966–79)
References[]
- ↑ 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. https://web.archive.org/web/20070304194210/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6387321.stm. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Historical Development of the Courts after Independence". Official Website. Judicial Service of Ghana. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071006085810/http://www.judicial.gov.gh/history/after_indp/page_2.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The Security Services" (pdf). Report of the National Reconciliation Commission. Ghana government. October 2004. pp. 46. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061016012351/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/NRC/Vol%204%20Chpt%201%20com.sec.rep.pdf. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
The original article can be found at Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Ghana and the edit history here.