Founders, soldiers, scholars and democrats: everyone who has led Ghana since 1957, in order, with what each is remembered for, good and bad.
Nkrumah led the Gold Coast to independence and became Ghana's first president when it became a republic in 1960. He was a visionary of African unity, built the Akosombo Dam, schools, hospitals and roads, and made Accra a capital of the liberation movements of the continent. He also turned Ghana into a one-party state, jailed opponents without trial, and left the economy heavily in debt. In February 1966, while he was in Beijing, the army and police overthrew him. He died in exile in 1972 and is buried at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
Dr Kwame NkrumahOn ghana-net.com. Why Nkrumah matters at Ghana 70On myghana2027.com.The National Liberation Council that removed Nkrumah was led first by Joseph Ankrah, then by Akwasi Afrifa, who handed power to an elected government in 1969. Afrifa was executed after the 1979 uprising.
The Second Republic had Edward Akufo-Addo, one of the Big Six, as president and the scholar Kofi Busia as prime minister. It lasted barely two years.
Acheampong seized power in 1972 and ruled by decree; the economy collapsed under his government and corruption flourished. Fred Akuffo replaced him in a palace coup in 1978. Both were executed in 1979.
Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings led a junior officers' uprising in June 1979, carried out executions of former leaders, and handed power to the elected Hilla Limann three months later. On 31 December 1981 Rawlings overthrew Limann and ruled for over a decade. His government was harsh in its early years, then stabilised the economy with painful reforms and led the country back to constitutional rule in 1992. He won two elections and, unusually for the region, stepped down when his terms ended.
Joseph AnkrahOn ghana-net.com. Akwasi AfrifaOn ghana-net.com. Edward Akufo-AddoOn ghana-net.com. Kofi Abrefa BusiaOn myghana2027.com. Ignatius Kutu AcheampongOn ghana-net.com. Fred AkuffoOn ghana-net.com. Dr Hilla LimannOn ghana-net.com. Jerry John RawlingsOn ghana-net.com. Rawlings and the 1983 coup attemptsOn africanindependence.com. Ankrah's letter to the American president, 1966On myghana2027.com.His election win in 2000 brought the first peaceful handover of power from one elected party to another. His government brought debt relief, a national health insurance scheme and economic growth.
A law professor known for his calm and the nickname "Asomdwehene", the king of peace. He won a razor-close election in 2008 and died in office in July 2012. He is buried at Asomdwe Park in Accra.
Vice president under Mills, he became president on Mills's death and won the 2012 election. He was the first head of state born after