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 among the junior ranks of the armed forces and the general public. As a result of this, Peter Tasiri Azongo, a Lance Corporal in the Armed Forces organised some colleagues who attacked the facilities where Rawlings was being held and released him in the early hours of June 4.

During the fighting that ensued throughout the day, a number of military personnel died. These include Major General Odartey-Wellington, who led the government's resistance to the coup d'état, and 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 Gilbert Kwabla Folivi-Tayko and Lance Corporal Mamudu Kalifa. They were all buried with full military honours at the Osu Military Cemetery in Accra.

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 executed, together with five other senior officers deemed to have been corrupt by the special courts set up by the government. Numerous business entrepreneurs were also targeted and unlawfully had their assets confiscated by the AFRC government, including J. K. Siaw.

The AFRC allowed the 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.

AFRC members Position Name Dates NotesHead of state of Ghana and chairman Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Official spokesman Captain Kojo Boakye-Djan Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Major Mensah-Poku Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Major Mensah Gbedemah Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Lieutenant Commander H. C. Apaloo Jun 1979 – ? Died following traffic accident Member Captain Kwabena Baah Achamfuor 19 Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Warrant Officer (II) Harry K. Obeng Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Staff Sergeant Alex Adjei Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Corporal Owusu Boateng Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Leading Aircraftman John N. Gatsiko Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Lance Corporal Peter Tasiri Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Lance Corporal Ansah Atiemo Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Lance Corporal Sarkodee-Addo Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Corporal Sheikh Tetteh Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 Member Private Owusu Adu Jun 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 to 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.

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 NotesCommissioner for Foreign Affairs Gloria Amon Nikoi 1979 Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice A. N. E. Amissah 26 June 1979– ? Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. J. L. S. Abbey 1979 Commissioner for Trade and TourismCommissioner for Interior andInspector General of Police C. O. Lamptey 1979 – 26 June 1979 Ben Forjoe 26 June 1979 – ? Commissioner for Lands, Natural Resources George Benneh 1979 Commissioner for Fuel and Power Commissioner for Industries Anthony Woode 1979 Commissioner for Labour and Social WelfareCommissioner for Transport and Communications George Harlley 1979 Commissioner for Works and HousingCommissioner for Agriculture Abeifaa Karbo June 1979 – September 1979 Commissioner for Information Kwame Afreh 1979 Commissioner for Cocoa AffairsCommissioner for Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives Nii Anyetei Kwakwranyra 1979 – 26 June 1979 Kofi Badu 26 June 1979 –? Commissioner for Local Government & Commissioner for Sports Kofi Badu 1979 – 26 June 1979 Nii Anyetei Kwakwranyra 26 June 1979 – ? Commissioner for Education and Culture Emmanuel Evans-Anfom 1979 Commissioner for HealthRegional commissioners Ashanti Regional Commissioner Colonel R. K. Zumah 1979 Brong Ahafo Region Lieutenant Commander I. K. Awuku 1979 Central Region Kobena Gyapea Erbynn 1979 Eastern Region S. H. Annancy 1979 Greater Accra Regional Commissioner E. R. K. Dwemoh 1979 Northern Region Lieutenant Colonel L. K. Kodjiku 1979 Upper Region Major M. Gyabaah 1979 Volta Regional Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel G.K. Amevor 1979 Western Region J. S. Amenlema 1979

See also History of Ghana (1966–79)

References