National Redemption Council

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The National Redemption Council (NRC) was the ruling Ghana military government from 13 January 1972 to 9 October 1975. Its chairman was Colonel I. K. Acheampong, who was thus also the Head of state of Ghana.

Duration of rule

The NRC came into power through a coup d'état led by Colonel Acheampong. This was a bloodless coup that overthrew the democratically elected Progress Party (PP) government of Dr. K. A. Busia, taking place while Dr. Busia was in the United Kingdom for medical reasons. The constitution was suspended and all political parties banned. One of the main grievances leading to the coup was the currency devaluations undertaken under the PP regime.[1]

On 9 October 1975, the NRC was replaced by the Supreme Military Council.[2] Its composition consisted of Colonel Acheampong, the chairman, who was also promoted straight from Colonel to General. The others included the military hierarchy consisting of Lt. Gen. Akuffo the Chief of Defence Staff, and the army, navy, air force and Border Guards commanders respectively.

Members of the NRC

The NRC was made up of the Head of state, Colonel Achemapong, the various service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, 4 other army officers of the rank of Major and a civilian who was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

List of members

Office Name Dates
Head of state and Chairman Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong 13 January 1972 - 9 October 1975
Chief of the Defence Staff Major General N. Y. A. Ashley-Larsen 13 January 1972 - ?
Chief of Army Staff Colonel Emmanuel Alexander Erskine 13 January 1972 - ?
Chief of Naval Staff Commodore P.F. Quaye 13 January 1972 - ?
Chief of Air Staff Air Commodore Charles Beausoliel 13 January 1972 - ?
Inspector General of Police J. H. Cobbina 13 January 1972 - ?
Member Lt. Colonel C.D. Benni (then Major) 13 January 1972 - 9 October 1975
Member Lt. Colonel Kwame R.M. Baah (then Major) 13 January 1972 - 9 October 1975
Member Lt. Colonel Anthony Hugh Selormey (then Major)13 January 1972 - 9 October 1975
Member Lt. Colonel Kwame B. Agbo (then Major)13 January 1972 - 9 October 1975
Attorney General &
Commissioner for Justice
Member
Edward Nathaniel Moore13 January 1972 - ?

List of commissioners in NRC government

Office Name Dates
Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Major General Nathan Apea Aferi
Major Kwame Baah
1972
1972 - 1975
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and
Inspector General of Police
J. H. Cobbina
Ernest Ako
13 January 1972 - September 1974
September 1974 - October 1975
Commissioner for Defence Colonel Kutu Acheampong 13 January 1972 - ?
Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice
Edward Nathaniel Moore 13 January 1972 - ?
Commissioner for Finance and Economic Affairs Colonel Kutu Acheampong
Amon Nikoi
13 January 1972 - ?
Commissioner for Local Government Major General Nathan Aferi 13 January 1972 - ?
Commissioner for Agriculture[3] Major-General Daniel Addo
Colonel Frank Bernasko
1972 1973
1973 1975
Commissioner for Health Colonel J. C. Adjeitey
Lt. Colonel Anthony Hugh Selormey
Commissioner for Labour, Social Welfare and Co-operatives Major Kwame Asante
Commissioner for Lands and Mineral Resources Major General D. C. K. Amenu
Commissioner for Industry Major Kwame B. Agbo
Commissioner for Works and Housing Major Roger Felli
Colonel Victor Coker-Appiah
1972
1972 - ?
Commissioner for Trade and Tourism Major Roger Felli 1972 - ?
Commissioner for Transport and Communications Lt. Col. Anthony Selormey
Commissioner for Education, Culture and Sports Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Nkegbe
Colonel Emmanuel Obeng Nyante
Commissioner for Information Colonel Kutu Acheampong
Colonel C. R. Tachie-Menson
Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs Colonel Frank Bernasko

Some programmes of the NRC

  • The NRC introduced the Ghana National Pledge.
  • Operation Feed Yourself - an Agricultural campaign for national self-sufficiency in food supplies.
  • Operation Keep Right - The changeover from driving on the left to the right which occurred on August 4, 1974.
Preceded by
Busia government (1969-1972)
Government of Ghana
(Military Regime)

1972 1975
Succeeded by
Supreme Military Council (1975-1978)

Notes

  1. "Ghana - The National Redemption Council Years, 1972-79". Library of Congress Studies Country Profile. Federal Research Division, Library of Congressm, USA. November 1994. Retrieved 2007-03-20. 
  2. "Ghana". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-20. 
  3. "Former Heads of MoFA". Official website. Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved 7 August 2012. 

Sources and external links

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