HEADS OF STATE OF GHANA
Read and watch video of Ghana's Past & Current Heads of State.
After 6th March, 1957 when Ghana gained independence, Queen Elizabeth II who was the Queen of England became the Monarch of Ghana from 6th March 1957 to 1st July 1960, a period of 3 years, 117 days with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as the Prime Minister.
Sir Charles Arden Clarke representing the Queen Elizabeth became the Governor General and took office in 6th March 1957 and left office 14th May 1957, a stretch of 69 days with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as Prime Minsiter.
Sir Kobina Arku Korsah took office right after Sir Charles Arden Clarke from 14th May 1957 to 13th November 1957, a run of 183 days with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as Prime Minister
Rt. Hon. The Earl of Listowel took office from 13th November 1957 to 1st July 1960, a spell of 2 years 231 days with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as Prime Minister.
THE FIRST REPUBLIC (1960 - 1966)
Under the 1960 Constitution, which is the first Constitution of Ghana, the President replaced the Monarch as executive head of state.
The President was elected by Parliament for a 5-term. The first head of state/ President was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who struggled for the attainment of Independence.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was elected as the first President of Ghana in 1960 to 1965. He took office from 1st July 1960 to 26th February 1966 (deposed). A period of 5 years, 240 days. He belonged to the Convention People’s Party
Lieutenant- General Joseph Arthur Ankrah led a coup d’etat which overthrew President Nkrumah and his government. All political parties and Parliament were also dissolved.
He took office from 24th February 1966 to 2nd April 1969 (resigned). A stretch of 3 years, 37 days. He belonged to the National Liberation Council Military Group.
Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa took office from 2nd April 1969 to 3rd September 1969. A run of 154 days.
Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa continued his reign and took office again from 13th September 1969 to 7th August 1970. A period of 338 days with Busia as Prime Minsiter. He also belonged to the National Liberation Council Military Group.
Nii Amaa Ollenu took over from Brigadier as an Independent Candidate from 7th August 1970 to 31st August 1970. A stretch of 24 days with Busia as Prime Minister.
Edward Akuffo Addo took office from 31st August, 1970 to 13th January 1972. A duration of 1 year, 135 days as an independent candidate with Busia as Prime Minster.
General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led a coup d’etat which overthrew President Akuffo-Addo, Prime Minsiter abrefa Busia and his government. All political parties and Parliament were also dissolved.
He took office from 13th January 1972 to 9th October 1975. He belonged to the National Redemption Council Military Group
He again took office from 9th October 1957 to 5th July 1978 (deposed) . A period which lasted 6 years, 173 days. He joined the Supreme Military Council.
Lieutenat – General Fred Akuffo led a coup and overthrew General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong
He took office from 5th July 1978 to 4th June 1979 (deposed). A duration of 334 days. He belonged to the Supreme Military Council.
Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings led a coup d’etat which overthrew the Supreme Military Council. He took office from 4th June 1979 to 24th September 1979. A stretch of 112 days. He belonged to the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council.
THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1979-1981)
Under the 1979 Constitution, the President is elected by Ghanaians and serves a four-year term that expires at the next general election; a President may serve a maximum of two terms.
In event of a vacancy the Vice President serves as Acting President.
Hilla Limann was elected and took office in 24th September, 1979 and was overthrown on 31st December 1981 (deposed). A run of 2 years 98 days. He belonged to the People’s National Party
Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings led a coup d’etat which overthrew President Limann and his government. All political parties and Parliament were also dissolved.
He took office from 31st December 1981 to 7th January 1993. A run of 11 years 7 days. He belonged to the Provisional National Defense Council.
THE FOURTH REPUBLIC (1993 to Present)
Under the Current Constitution, the President is head of both state and government. The President is elected by Ghanaians and serves a four-term that expires at the next general election; a President may serve a maximum of two terms.
In event of a vacancy the Vice President serves the remaining time as the President
Jerry John Rawlings was elected and sworn in as a President. He took office from 7th January 1993 to 7th January 2001. A stretch of 8 years. He belonged to the National Democratic Government.
After elections in 2000, John Agyekum Kufuor was elected as the President of Ghana. He took office from 7th January 2001. A duration of 8 years. He belongs to the New Patriotic Party.
John Atta Mills took office in 7th January 2009 to 24th July 2012 (died in office). A duration of 3 years 199 days. He belonged to the National Democratic Congress
John Mahama took office from 24th July, 2012 the day John Atta Mills died to 7th January 2017. A stretch of 4 years 167 days. He belonged to the National Democratic Congress.
Nana Akuffo Addo was elected in 2016 and took office from 7th January 2017 to Present Day. He belongs to the New Patriotic Party.
