POLITICAL LEADERS BIBLIOGRAPHY

Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
Presidency
1951 – 1952  :  Leader of Government Business
1952 – 1957  :  Prime Minister of Gold Coast
1957 – 1960  :  Prime Minister of Ghana
1/7/1960 – 24/02/1966 :  President of the Republic of Ghana

Personal Information
Offical Birthday:  21st September, 1909
Place of Birth:  Nkroful, WR
Date of Death:  27th April, 1972

Educational Background of Dr. Nkrumah
1927: Government Training College Accra, (Which became part of Achimota College)

1930: He obtained Teacher’s Certificate from Achimota Training College
1931: He became a teacher and later promoted to be a head teacher at Catholic School Axim

(W/R)

1935:He studied at Lincoln University, USA
1939: He obtained BA (Arts) and BA (Theology in 1942 USA)
1942:He graduated as head of class from the seminary of Lincoln with a Bachelor of Theology degree.

1942: He received a Master of Science degree in Education from University of Pennsylvania
February 1943: He received a Master of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania
1945: He started writing a phamplet titled towards Colonial Freedom.
1945: He was honored with doctorate degree in law at Lincoln University and most outstanding

Professor of the year by the Lincolonian

His Political and Public Life

1948: He became General secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)
1948: Detained with Executive members of UGCC known later as the Big Six
1949: He resigned from the UGCC and formed his own Political Party (CPP) on the 12th June

1949 at Arena, Accra.

1950: He declared positive Action on 8th January 1950, which led to a General strike all over the country. Consequently, he was arrested, tried and imprisoned.

1951: The CPP won the General Election in February, 1951. Even though in Prison, He won his seat in Accra Central overwhelmingly. CPP called for his release from Prison. The Governor Sir Charles Arden Clarke orderd his release and asked him to form a government.

1952: In April 1952, he was made Prime Minister of Gold Coast.

1954: There was a general Election which the CPP won and was asked to form another government

1957: 6th March Declaration of Ghana’s Independence

1958: Married to Helena Ritz Fathia an Egyptian

1960: The CPP won a referandom which made Ghana a Republic and him as the President.

1964: He won another referandom which made Ghana a one Party State.

1966: Overthrown through Coup d ‘tat

LT. GENERAL JOSEPH A. ANKRAH

Presidency
1966 – 1967  : Head Of State

Personal Information
Date of Birth: 18th August, 1915
Place of Birth: Accra – Greater Accra Region (G/A/R)
Date of Death: 25th November, 1992

Educational Background of Lt. Gen. Joseph Ankrah

Wesleyan Methodist School – Accra
1937     Cambridge School Certificate
1939     Mobilized into West Africa Frontier Force on the outbreak of World War II.

His Political and Public Life
1946     :Officer Cadet Training Unit, UK.
1947     :Commissioned Lieutenant and after 14 years he was promoted to the rank of

lieutenant Colonel
Aug. 1960 : He was appointed Colonel.
1960 – 61 : UN Peace Keeping Force based in Congo, Brigade Commander of force based in Luluaburg Kasai.
1961 : Awarded the Military Cross for act of unsurpassed gallantry in Congo.
1966 : He became Head of State and Chairman of NLC.
April 1969 : He was forced to resign as Chairman of NLC and Head of State over a bribery

scandal Involving Fracis Nzerehe, a Nigerian Business man

LT. GENERAL AKWASI AMANKWA AFRIFA

Presidency
1967 – 10/1969 : Head Of State

Personal Information
Date of Birth: 24th April, 1936
Place of Birth: Mampong – Ashanti Region. (A/R)
Date of Death: 16th June, 1979

Educational Background of – Lt. Gen. Akwasi Afrifa

Attended Presbyterian Boys Boarding School, Mampong (A/R)
1952 – 65     Adisadel College, Cape Coast (C/R)
1957 – 58     Regular Officer’s Training School
1958     :Mons Officers Cadet School, Sandhurst, UK
1958 – 60  :Military Academy, Sandhurst England.

His Political and Public Life

1961 :Attended School of Infantry, Hythe, UK, and Commander, Rifts Company
10/1969 – 1/8/1970 :Chairman of Presidential Commission
1962 – 1964 :General Staff Officer.
1964 efence College, Teshie – Accra
1966 – 67 :Member of eight (8) men ruling National Liberation Council (NLC), and

Commissioner for Finance
1969 :Chairman of NLC and Head of Communication
10/1969 –1/8/1970 :Chairman of Presidential Commision
15/1/1972–Dec 1972 :He was arrested and detained by National Redemption Council regime under

EDWARD AKUFFO ADDO

Presidency
01/08/70 – 13/01/72  : Ceremonial President

Personal Information
Date of Birth: 26th June, 1906
Place of Birth: Dodowa
Date of Death: 17th July, 1979

Educational Background of Edward Akuffo – Addo

Attended Presbyterian Primary and Middle Schools at Dodowa. Attended Achimota College (Won

Scholarship)
to St. Peter’s College Oxford University, UK where he studied Mathematics, Politics,

Econimics and Philosophy

1929 :    Entered Achimota College.
1940 : He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple,London
1941 : Returned to Gold Coast and started Private Legal practice but soon joined politics.

His Political and Public Life

1947 :Founding member of United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
1948 :One of the “Big Six” detained after disturbances in Accra.
1949 :Member Gold Coast Legislative Council.
1950 :Member Coussey Constitutional Commission.
1962 – 64 :Appointed to Supreme Court as Judge
Sept. 1966 – 1970 :Appointed Chief Justice in National Liberation Council Regime
1966 – 68 :Chairman of NLC Political Commission
1968– 69  :Chairman of Constitutional Commission.
1970– 72  :Head of State in Ghana the Second Republic (He was Ceremonial President)

DR. KOFI ABREFA BUSIA

Presidency
October 1969 – 13th January, 1972 : Prime Minister

Personal Information
Date of Birth:  11th July, 1913.
Place of Birth:  Wenchi- Brong Ahafo Region (B/A)
Date of Death:  28th August, 1978.

Educational Background of Dr. K.A. Busia

Methodist School, Wrenchi Brong Ahafo Region.
Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast.
1931 – 32 :Wesley College, Kumasi Ashanti Region.
1935 :Left Wesley College to Achimota.
1936 – 39 :Teacher, Achimota College, gained first degree with (Hons) in Medievial and

History from the University of London.
1941 :Oxford University – BA (Hons.) (Oxon) Politics Philosophy  and Economics, MA (Oxon)

PHD Social Anthropology.

His Political and Public Life
1942 – 49 :Appointed District Commissioner
1949 – 54 :Appointed first lecturer in African Studies.
1951 :Elected by the Ashanti Confederacy to the legislative Council.
1952 :Leader of the Ghana Congress Party
1961 – 66 :Senior Member of St. Anthony’s College, University of Oxford.
March 1966 :Return to Ghana, and appointed Chairman of National Advisory Committee of the

NLC.
1967 – 68 :Chairman, Centre for Civic Education
1968 :Members Constitutional Review Committee
1969 rogress Party (PP) won the Parliamentary election.
October, 1969     Sworn in as Prime Minister of the Second Republic. He introduced the Alien’s

Compliance Order and authorised the devaluation of the cedis by 44 %.

GENERAL IGNATIUS KUTU AKWASI ACHEAMPONG

Presidency
1972 – 1978 : Head Of State

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 23rd September, 1931
Place of Birth: Traboum – Ashanti Region. (A/R)
Date of Death: 16th June, 1979

Educational Background of Gen. I.K. Acheampong

Attended Traboum Elementary, School St. Peter’s Catholic School, Kumasi
1945 :Obtained Middle School Leaving Certificate, G.C.E. ‘O’ Level, Diploma In Commerce
1945 – 51 :Sternographer Secretary, Timber Sawmill Kumasi, Tutor Kumasi Commercial College, Principal,
Agona Swedru College of Commerce
1951 :Enlisted as a Private in Ghana Army
1959 :Cadet Training Course, Mons, Aldershot
1959 – 66 :Attended various courses including Personnel Administration at the Staff College,USA. Commanding Officer 5th and 6th Battalion

His Political and Public Life
1966 – 71 :Chairman Western Region Committee of Administration
1971 – 72 :Commander, First Infantry Brigade
Jan. 1972 :The military led by Lt.Col. Ignatius Acheampong seized power.
5th July, 1978 :Acheampong was overthrown by his second-in-Command Lt. Gen. Fred Akuffo and other members of the
ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC). He was accused of economic sabotage.6th June,1979 He was executed by firing
squad in 16th June 1979 as a result of the June 4 uprising.

FREDRICK WILLIAM AKWASI AKUFFO
Presidency
1978 – 1979 : Head Of State
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 21st March, 1937
Place of Birth: Akropong Akwapim Eastern Region (E/R)
Date of Death: 30th June, 1979
Educational Background of Gen. F.W. K. Akuffo
1952 – 55 :Attended Presbyerian Secondary School Odumasi Krobo (E/R)
1957 : Enlisted as an officer-Cadet in the Ghana Army
1958 – 60 : Attended Royal Military Academy, Sandurst, UK
1961 : Parachute Training, UK
1967 : Staff College United Kingdom
1973 : National Defense College – India
His Political and Public Life
1965 – 66 :Commanding Officer Airborne Training School Tamale Northern Region (N/R)
1969 – 70 :Commanding Officer, 6th Battalion
1970 irector General, operations and Planning i.e. Ministry of Defense
1972 :Second Brigadier Commander
1974 :Army Commander
1975 :Memberc- Supreme Military Council (SMC)
1976 :Became Chief of Defense Staff
1978 :Lt.Gen. Fredrick Akuffo replaced Lt.Col. Ignatius Acheampong after he (Acheampong) was
forced to resign by the military leaders of the SMC.
1979 :His Government was overthrown by J.J. Rawlings in the June 4th uprising. He was later
executed by firing squad.
JJ Rawlings
Presidency
4th June 1979 – 24th Sept. 1979: Head of State
31st Dec.1981 – 7th Jan., 1993, PNDC: Head of State
DR. HILLA LIMANN
Presidency
24/09/79 – 31/12/81:President
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 12th December, 1934.
Place of Birth: Gwollu, Upper West Region
Date of Death: 23rd January, 1998
Educational Background of Dr. Hilla Limann
Limann was born and named Babini, but he was brought up by his uncle, Heli Limann. He
assumed his name on entering Primary School.
1941 – 45 :Attended Lawra Confederacy native Authority School (U/W-R)
1946 – 49 :Government Middle School, Tamale (N/R) and attended the Government Teacher
Training College (Tamale).
His Political and Public Life
1956 – 60 istrict Councilor, Tumu District Council
1954 :Lost Parliamentary seat election as an Independent Candidate
1956 – 60 :Attended London School of Economies (Political Science)
1960 – 62 :University of Paris (PhD. Political Science and Constitutional Law).
1965 – 68 :Head, Europe Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1968 – 71 :Head of Chancery/ Official Secretary Ghana Mission, Lome Togo
1979 residential Candidtate People’s National Party (PNP)
September 24, 1979 :Sworn in-as a President of Ghana’s Third Republic
31st December, 1981 :His government was over thrown by J.J. Rawlings
23rd January, 1998 ied and was buried at Gwollu his hometown
FLIGHT – LIEUTENANT JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS
Presidency
4th June 1979 – 24th Sept. 1979: Head of State
31st Dec.1981 – 7th Jan., 1993, PNDC: Head of State
7th Jan. 1993 – 7th Jan. 2000, NDC : President
Personal Information
Date of Birth : 22nd June, 1947.
Place of Birth : Greater Accra Region
Educational Background of FLT. J.J. Rawlings
Attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Adabraka Accra.
1966 :Attended Achimota School
August 1967 : Selected for Officer Cadet Training Military Academy, Teshie Accra
March 1968 : Attended Military Training Course at Takoradi
His Political and Public Life
January 1969 : Commissioned as a Pilot Officer and the best Cadet in flying and Airmanship.
April, 1969 : Promoted flight Lieutenant.
May, 1979 :Failed in his Coup attempt and was rounded up with six of his men and put before
a Court Martial in Accra.
June 4, 1979 : Released from prison by an uprising Major Boakye – Djan and some Junior
officer of the Army.
September 24, 1979 : Rawlings handed over power to Dr. Hilla Limann as the President of Third
Republic.
December 31, 1982 : Launched a “Revolution” which lasted till 1992 when the fourth Republic
was ushered.
1992 : Won General Election on the ticket of N.D.C.
1996 : Won another General Election on the Ticket of the N.D.C.
2000 : Handed over power constitutionally to Mr. John A. Kuffour.
MR. JOHN AGYEKUM KUFUOR

Presidency
2001 till date… NPP resident

Personal Information
Date of Birth : 8th December, 1938
Place of Birth : Dabaah near Kumasi- Ashanti Region(A/R)

Educational Background of Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor

1945 – 1953 :Attended Government Boys Primary and Middle School – Kumasi
1954 :Student Prempeh College – Kumasi
1959 – 61 :Obtained a Law Degree and was called to the barat Lincoln Inn – L.L.B
1961 – 64 :Oxford University, he took further studies in Law

His Political and Public Life
1965 – 67 :Entered into Private Law Practice in Kumasi.
1967 – 69 :City Manager and Chief Legal Officer of Kumasi City Council
1969 :Member of the Constituent Assembly which drew up 1969 Constitution that Ushered the Country into the Second Republic
1969 – 72 eputy Minister of Foreign Affairs during Busia’s Regime
1979 :Member, Constituent Assembly that wrote the Constitution which ushered the country into the third Republic
1979 – 81 :MP for Atwima Nwabiagya on the ticket of popular front party (P.F.P) and became Deputy leader and spokesman on Foreign Affairs
1982 :Appointed as Minister of Local Government but later resigned
1988 – 91 :Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club.
1991 – 92 :Lost Presidential slot of New Patriot Party (NPP) to Professor Adu Boahen.
1996 : Emerged victorious in the NPP primaries and led the Great Alliance of NPP And PCP to the General Election of that year, against the incumbent President Rawlings
1998 : He won the Presidential slot of NPP again
2000 : He won the General Election held that year against Professor Atta-Mills
January 7, 2001 :Sworn in as a President
2004 : He won the General Election held that year again
January 7, 2005 :Sworn in as a President for the second term

Source: Ghana Home ( http://www.ghana.gov.gh )