Ignatius Kutu Acheampong
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| Ignatius Kutu Acheampong | |
 General I.K. Acheampong |
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| In office January 13, 1972 – July 5, 1978 |
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| Deputy | None - (1972-Oct 1975) Lt. Gen. F.W.K. Akuffo(1975-1978) |
| Preceded by | Edward Akufo-Addo |
| Succeeded by | Lt. Gen. F.W.K. Akuffo |
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| Born | September 23, 1931 Ghana |
| Died | June 16, 1979 (aged 47) Accra, Ghana |
| Political party | military - NRC military - SMC |
| Spouse | Mrs. Faustina Acheampong |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Religion | Christian |
| Head of State of a military government | |
General (then Colonel) Ignatius Kutu Acheampong (September 23, 1931 – June 16, 1979) was a former military head of state of Ghana. He ruled from 13 January 1972 to July 5, 1978, when he was deposed in a palace coup. He was later executed by firing squad.
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[edit] Politics
Acheampong led a coup d'état to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Progress Party and its leader Dr. Kofi Busia on 13 January 1972.[1] He became Head of State and Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC), which was later transformed into the Supreme Military Council on October 9, 1975, with Colonel Acheampong (promoted to General) as its chairman.
Notable historical changes and events introduced or implemented in Ghana during the period under Acheampong include: the change from the imperial to the metric system of measurement, change from driving on the left to right-hand drive in "Operation Keep Right", "Operation Feed Yourself" (a programme aimed at developing self-reliance in agriculture), "National Reconstruction" (aimed at promoting employment and skill for workers), face-lift projects in cities, and the reconstruction/upgrading of stadia to meet international standards.
There were, however, widespread accusations of both the encouragement and endorsement of corruption in the country under his rule.
[edit] Union Government and Overthrow
Acheampong sought to perpetuate the military in government by introducing a model called "Union Government" or "Unigov" for short.[2] This became a very contentious national issue which was vehemently opposed by many. A referendum held on 30 March 1978 to accept or reject this concept was widely believed to be rigged, though the official results were 60.11% for and 39.89% against.[3] The electoral commissioner at the time, Justice Isaac Kobina Abban (who later became Chief Justice), went into hiding from the government for fear of his life after coming under pressure to manipulate results.[4]
Acheampong was deposed in a palace coup on 5 July 1978 and succeeded by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Fred Akuffo.[2] He remained under virtual house arrest at Trabuom in the Ashanti Region until the advent of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).[5]
[edit] Execution
Acheampong, together with two other former Heads of State (Gen. Afrifa and Gen. Akuffo) and five other senior military officers (Amedume, Boakye, Felli, Kotei and Utuka), were executed by firing squad in June 1979, after the June 4 revolution that brought Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings and the AFRC to power.[5]
[edit] Family
Acheampong was married to Mrs. Faustina Acheampong. His grandson is American football player Charlie Peprah. A native of Plano, Texas, Peprah played four seasons at the University of Alabama and was picked in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He currently plays for the Green Bay Packers.
[edit] References
- ^ The Security Services (pdf). Report of the National Reconciliation Commission Volume 4 Chapter 1. Ghana government (October 2004). Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
- ^ a b "The National Redemption Council Years, 1972-79", Ghana news website, Ghana.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
- ^ Elections in Ghana. African elections database. Albert C. Nunley. Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
- ^ History of Ghana - Post Independence Ghana. 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration of Ghana. Ghana government. Retrieved on 2007-04-30. “In furtherance of the UNIGOV policy, a referendum was held on 30 March 1978 to ascertain the wishes of Ghanaians on the issue. Halfway through the referendum, the Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Justice Isaac Kobina Abban, a judge of the High Court, had to give up his job and fled into hiding, apparently to save his life.”
- ^ a b Review of Petitions E. 4th June, 1979 – 23rd September 1979 (AFRC REGIME) (pdf). Report of the National Reconciliation Commission Volume 2 Part 1 Chapter 6 page176. Ghana government. Retrieved on 2007-04-30.
[edit] See also
- National Redemption Council
- Supreme Military Council
- Corruption in Ghana
- List of Ghana Heads of state by age
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward Akufo-Addo President |
Head of state of Ghana 1972 – 1978 |
Succeeded by Fred Akuffo Head of state |
| Preceded by Kofi Busia Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by J. Kwesi Lamptey |
Minister for Defence 1972 – ? |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Joseph Henry Mensah |
Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs 1972 – ? |
Succeeded by Amon Nikoi |
| Preceded by T.D. Brodie Mends |
Minister for Information 1972 – ? |
Succeeded by Colonel C.R. Tachie Menson |
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| Persondata | |
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| NAME | Acheamphong, Ignatius Kutu |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Soldier and former military Head of state of Ghana |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 23, 1931 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Ghana |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 16, 1979 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
