# Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (Ghana)

The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) was the military Junta that seized power in Ghana from June 4, 1979, to September 24, 1979.

## 4 June military coup

The AFRC came to power in a coup that removed the Supreme Military Council, another military regime, from power. The June 4 coup was preceded by an abortive attempt on May 15, 1979, when Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings and other ranks were arrested. Their trial only served to make them popular till they were eventually released on the morning of June 4 by young officers and noncommissioned officers inspired by Rawlings. During the fighting that ensued throughout the day, a number of military personnel lost their lives. These include Major General Odartey-Wellington who led the government's resistance to the coup d'état. Others who fell that day included another officer, Colonel Joseph Enningful who was a former Commander of the Support Services of the Ghana Armed Forces. Other soldiers who died that day include Second-Lieutenant J. Agyemang Bio, Corporal William Tingan, Lance Corporal Sorkpor, Trooper Samuel Larsey, Trooper Emmanuel Koranteng-Apau, Lance Corporal Gabriel Follivi and Lance Corporal Mamudu Kalifa. They were all buried with full military honours at the Osu Military Cemetery in Accra.

## House cleaning exercise

The regime started a 'House cleaning' exercise against corruption. Three former military leaders of Ghana, Lt. Gen. Afrifa, Gen. Acheampong and Lt. Gen. Akuffo were all executed together with five other senior officers deemed to have been corrupt by the special courts set up by the government. Numerous business entrepreneurs were also targeted and unlawfully had their assets confiscated by the AFRC government including J. K. Siaw.
The AFRC allowed already scheduled elections to go ahead and handed over to the duly elected Dr. Hilla Limann of the People's National Party who became the only president of the Third Republic of Ghana.

## Membership

The AFRC consisted of 15 members.
AFRC Members :
| Position | Name | Dates | Notes |
| Head of state of Ghana and Chairman | Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Official Spokesman | Captain Kojo Boakye-Djan | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Major Mensah-Poku | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Major Mensah Gbedemah | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Lieutenant Commander H. C. Apaloo | Jun 1979 – ? | Died following traffic accident |
| Member | Captain Kwabena Baah Achamfuor | 19 Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Warrant Officer (II) Harry K. Obeng | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Staff Seargent Alex Adjei | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Corporal Owusu Boateng | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Leading Aircraftman John N. Gatsiko | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Lance Corporal Peter Tasiri | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Lance Corporal Ansah Atiemo | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Lance Corporal Sarkodee-Addo | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Corporal Sheikh Tetteh | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
| Member | Private Owusu Adu | Jun 1979 – 24 Sep 1979 | |
* Captain Henry Smith – one of the architects of the uprising and described by officers and soldiers in June 1979 as the officer who was responsible for the success of the uprising – declined membership of the AFRC. He was, nevertheless, given the portfolio of "special duties" and was also put in charge of the Foreign Affairs ministry.
* Lieutenant Commander H. C. Apaloo died in a road traffic accident before the end of AFRC rule.

## Commissioners

Commissioners were in place of Ministers of state and most carried on from the previous government. A number of commissioners had to cover additional ministries during the period of the AFRC.
List of commissioners (ministers) of state :
| Portfolio | Commissioner | Time frame |
| Commissioner for Foreign Affairs | Gloria Amon Nikoi | 1979 |
| Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice | A. N. E. Amissah | 26 June 1979– ? |
| Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning | Dr. J. L. S. Abbey | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Trade and Tourism | Dr. J. L. S. Abbey | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Interior and Inspector General of Police | C. O. Lamptey | 1979 – 26 June 1979 |
| Commissioner for Interior and Inspector General of Police | Ben Forjoe | 26 June 1979 – ? |
| Commissioner for Lands, Natural Resources | George Benneh | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Fuel and Power | George Benneh | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Industries | Anthony Woode | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Labour and Social Welfare | Anthony Woode | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Transport and Communications | George Harlley | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Works and Housing | George Harlley | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Agriculture | Abeifaa Karbo | June 1979 – September 1979 |
| Commissioner for Information | Kwame Afreh | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs | Kwame Afreh | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives | Nii Anyetei Kwakwranyra | 1979 – 26 June 1979 |
| Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives | Kofi Badu | 26 June 1979 –? |
| Commissioner for Local Government & Commissioner for Sports | Kofi Badu | 1979 – 26 June 1979 |
| Commissioner for Local Government & Commissioner for Sports | Nii Anyetei Kwakwranyra | 26 June 1979 – ? |
| Commissioner for Education and Culture | Emmanuel Evans-Anfom | 1979 |
| Commissioner for Health | Emmanuel Evans-Anfom | 1979 |
| Regional Commissioners ||||
| Ashanti Regional Commissioner | Colonel R. K. Zumah | 1979 |
| Brong Ahafo Region | Lieutenant Commander I. K. Awuku | 1979 |
| Central Region | Kobena Gyapea Erbynn | 1979 |
| Eastern Region | S. H. Annancy | 1979 |
| Greater Accra Regional Commissioner | E. R. K. Dwemoh | 1979 |
| Northern Region | Lieutenant Colonel L. K. Kodjiku | 1979 |
| Upper Region | Major M. Gyabaah | 1979 |
| Volta Regional Commissioner | Lieutenant Colonel G.K. Amevor | 1979 |
| Western Region | J. S. Amenlema | 1979 |