Supreme Military Council (Ghana)

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Ghana
Constitution

The Supreme Military Council (SMC) was the ruling government of Ghana from October 9, 1975 to June 4, 1979. Its chairman was Colonel I.K. Acheampong. He was also the Head of state of Ghana due to his chairmanship.

SMC I and II

The period of the SMC can be divided into two eras. These are :

The SMC was overthrown by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council on June 4, 1979. This was a bloody coup during which one of the SMC members, the Army Commander Major General Odartey-Wellington was killed.

Members of the Acheampong government

The council consisted of the Head of state and all service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces. The head of the police was also included.

Office Name Dates
Head of state and Chairman General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong 9 October 1975 - 5 July 1978
Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant General Lawrence A. Okai
Lieutenant General Fred W. K. Akuffo
9 October 1975 - November 1976
November 1976 - July 1978
Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Fred W. K. Akuffo
Major General Robert E. A. Kotei
9 October 1975 - November 1976
November 1976 - July 1978
Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral C.K. Dzang
Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume
9 October 1975 - June 1977
June 1977 - July 1978
Chief of Air Staff Brigadier Charles Beausoliel
Air Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye
9 October 1975 - 11 November 1976
12 November 1976 - 5 July 1978
Border Guards Commander Major General E. K. Utuka
Inspector General of Police Ernest Ako
Benjamin Samuel Kofi Kwakye
9 October 1975 - July 1978
July 1978 June 1979

The various commissioners were designated as members of the National Redemption Council as membership of the SMC was limited to the Head of State, the Inspector General of Police and the various military service commanders.

Office Name Dates
Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Major Roger Felli 1975 - ?
Commissioner for Internal Affairs
Inspector General of Police
Ernest Ako
Benjamin Samuel Kofi Kwakye
9 October 1975 - July 1978
July 1978 June 1979
Commissioner for Defence Colonel Kutu Acheampong 9 October 1975 - July 1978
Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice
Edward Nathaniel Moore 9 October 1975 - ?
Commissioner for Finance and Economic Affairs Colonel Kutu Acheampong
Robert K.A. Gardiner
J. L. S. Abbey
9 October 1975 - ?
? ?
? ?
Commissioner for Local Government Lt. Col. B. K. Ahlijah
Lt. Col. K. A. Jackson
C. K. Tedam
9 October 1975 - ?
? ?
? ?
Commissioner for Agriculture[1] Lt. Col. Paul K. Nkegbe
Major General Neville Odartey-Wellington
Colonel Samuel Akwagiram
1977 1979
1979
1979
Commissioner for Health Colonel J. C. Adjeitey
Lt. Colonel Anthony Hugh Selormey
Major General Neville Odartey-Wellington
Commissioner for Labour, Social Welfare and Co-operatives Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume
Nii Anyetei Kwakwranya
Commissioner for Lands and Mineral Resources Group Captain T. T. Kutin
Brigadier K. Osei-Boateng
Lt. Col. Abdulai Ibrahim
Commissioner for Industry Colonel George Minyila
Colonel B. K. Ahlijah
Commissioner for Works and Housing Lt. Col. K. A. Jackson
Major Edward Yirimambo
Commissioner for Trade and Tourism Colonel K. E. Quarshie
Commissioner for Transport and Communications Colonel David A. Iddisah
Group Captain T. T. Kutin
Eric R.K. Dwemoh
Commissioner for Education, Culture and Sports Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Nkegbe
Commissioner for Education, Youth and Sports Ellis Owusu-Fordwor
Commissioner for Information Major General Robert E. A. Kotei
Colonel Parker H.S. Yarney
Commissioner for Sports Colonel Kutu Acheampong
Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs Captain J. A. Kyeremeh
Commissioner for SMC Affairs E. K. Buckman
Commissioner and Special Advisor to the Head of State Joe Emmanuel Appiah
Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Kofi Badu
Commissioner for Fuel and Power Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulai Ibrahim
Ashanti Region Major R. Kujiku
Commander Godwin E. Osei
Brong Ahafo Region Wing Commander O. K. Abrefa
Central Region Major Dawuni
Eastern Region Commander G. E. Osei
Greater Accra Region Major R. Kujiku
Northern Region Lieutenant-Colonel R. Zumah
Upper Region Lieutenant-Colonel M. Ofori-Akuamoah
Volta Region Lieutenant-Colonel G. K. Amevor
Western Region Lieutenant-Commander John A.K. Otoo

Palace coup

Following a bloodless palace coup on 5 July 1978, the SMC was reconstituted. General Acheeampng was forced to resign as head of state and placed under house arrest. This government remained in power until its overthrow eleven months later by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council on 4 June 1979.

Office Name Dates
Head of state and Chairman Lieutenant General Fred W. K. Akuffo 5 July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Robert E. A. Kotei
Lieutenant General Joshua Hamidu
5 July 1978 - 23 July 1978
July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Chief of Army Staff Major General Neville Odartey-Wellington 5 July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume 5 July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye 5 July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Border Guards Commander Major General E. K. Utuka
Major General K. Osei Boateng[2]
5 July 1978 - ?
? - 4 June 1979
Inspector General of Police Ernest Ako
Benjamin Samuel Kofi Kwakye
July 1978
17 July 1978 - 4 June 1979
Preceded by
National Redemption Council (1972-1975)
Governments of Ghana
(Military Regime)

19751979
Succeeded by
Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (1979)

Monday 4th June 1979

References

  1. "Former Heads of MoFA". Official website. Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  2. Tagoe, George (6 May 2004). Genesis Four. Trafford Publishing. Retrieved 9 September 2012.

Sources

External sources

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