# Provisional National Defence Council

The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was the name of the Ghanaian government after the People's National Party's elected government was overthrown by Jerry Rawlings, the former head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, in a coup d'état on 31 December 1981. He remained in power until 7 January 1993. In a statement, Rawlings said that a "holy war" was necessary due to the PNP's failure to provide effective leadership and the collapse of the national economy and state services.
The PNDC was a military dictatorship that induced civilians to participate in governance. Most of its members were civilians. Its policies reflected a revolutionary government that was pragmatic in its approach. The economic objectives of the PNDC were to halt Ghana's economic decay, stabilize the economy, and stimulate economic growth. The PNDC also brought a change in the people's attitude from a 'government will provide' position to participating in nation-building.
The PNDC provided a new constitution in 1992 and held elections that year. Rawlings's party, the NDC, won the presidential election with 58% of the vote. The opposition boycotted the subsequent parliamentary elections.

## Members

The seven original members of the PNDC from its inception were as follows:
* Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
* Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah - retired Chief of Defence Staff
* Reverend Dr. Vincent Kwabena Damuah
* Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi
* Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore
* Joachim Amartey Quaye
* Chris Bukari Atim
Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah, who had been retired by the Limann government, was recalled as Chief of Defence Staff and the second-in-command of the PNDC. Reverend Damuah was an outspoken priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana. Joachim Amartey Quaye was a labour leader who led a strike at the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) and was removed by Hilla Limann's government. Chris Bukari Atim was a student leader and friend of Jerry Rawlings. Adjei Buadi and Akata Pore were junior ranks in the Ghana Air Force.

### Departures and replacements

Over the years, some people were added to the membership and others left. A number left in 1982 due to ideological differences. Joachim Amartey Quaye was executed for his involvement in the murder of three senior judges and a retired army officer. Rev. Damuah who was suspended from the Catholic Church because of his involvement in the government left in late 1982 and started his own church later called the Afrikania Mission, an organization devoted to the promotion of African Traditional Religion.

### August 1992 onwards — final membership

* Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
* Justice D. F. Annan
* Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu
* Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata
* P. V. Obeng
* Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo
* Air Vice Marshal Dumashie
* Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant

## Membership

PNDC Members :
| Position | Name | From | To | Notes |
| Head of state of Ghana and Chairman | Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings | December 1981 | January 1993 | |
| Chief of the Defence Staff | Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah | January 1982 | November 1982 | Reappointed Chief of Defence Staff from Jan 1982 to Nov 1982 |
| Member | Vincent Kwabena Damuah | January 1982 | 1982 | Catholic priest |
| Member | Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi | January 1982 | December 1984 | Coordinator for the Armed Forces Defence Committees |
| Member | Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore | January 1982 | 1982 | Secretary Armed Forces Defence Committee |
| Member | Joachim Amartey Quaye | January 1982 | August 1982 | Union leader |
| Member | Chris Bukari Atim | January 1982 | 1982 | General Secretary of the June Fourth Movement, Former First national vice president of the National Union of Ghana Students |
| Member | Aanaa Naamua Enin | August 1982 | December 1989 | |
| Member | Ebo Tawiah | August 1982 | ? | Trade Union leader |
| Member | Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu | October 1984 | January 1993 | Politician and businessman |
| Member | Captain Kojo Tsikata | July 1985 | January 1993 | National Security and Foreign Affairs, Retired soldier |
| Chairman of Committee of Secretaries | Paul Victor Obeng | July 1985 | January 1993 | Former student leader and Mechanical Engineer |
| Member | Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo | 1982 | January 1993 | Chief of Defence Staff from 1983 to 1999 |
| Member | Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri | 1983 | 1984 | Nandom Naa Died in office |
| Member and Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy | Justice Daniel Francis Annan | 1984 | January 1993 | Retired Appeals Court Judge |
| Member | Susanna Al-Hassan | 1985 | 1987 | Ghana's first female minister in 1961 and author |
| Member | Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood | 1987 | 1992 | Chief of the Defence Staff, 1990 - 1992 Died in office March 1992 |
| Member | Mary Grant | 1989 | January 1993 | Medical doctor |
| Member | Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie | 1992 | January 1993 | Chief of Air Staff until 1992 Chief of Defence Staff from March 1992. |

## Secretaries

The officials in charge of the various ministries were designated as Secretaries of state.
List of secretaries (ministers) of state :
| Portfolio | Secretary | From | To |
| Chairman of Committee of Secretaries | Paul Victor Obeng | 1982 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Foreign Affairs | Obed Asamoah | January 1982 | 1993 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Johnny F. S. Hansen | January 1982 | Apr 1982 |
| Secretary for the Interior | J. M. Ewa | Apr 1982 | Dec 1982 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Kofi Djin | Dec 1982 | Nov 1985 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Major General Winston Mensa-Wood | Nov 1985 | Oct 1987 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Nii Okaidja Adamafio | Oct 1987 | May 1991 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Nana Akuoko Sarpong | May 1991 | Mar 1992 |
| Secretary for the Interior | Colonel E. M. Osei-Wusu | Mar 1992 | Jan 1993 |
| Secretary for Finance | Kwesi Botchwey | 1982 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Defence | Naa Polku Konkuu Chirii | 1982 | Nov 1983 |
| Secretary for Defence | Rear Admiral C. K. Dzang | 22 Nov 1983 | 1985 |
| Secretary for Defence | Mahama Iddrisu | 1985 | 6 Jan 1993 |
| Attorney General and Secretary for Justice | G. E. K. Aikins | January 1982 | 1992 |
| Attorney General and Secretary for Justice | E.G. Tanoh | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | Christina Ama Ata Aidoo | January 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | V. C. Dadson | 1983 | ? |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | Joyce Aryee | 1985 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | Mohammed Ben Abdallah | 1986 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | K. B. Asante | 1988 | 1989 |
| Secretary for Education and Culture | Mary Grant | 1989 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Agriculture | Eugene Bortei-Doku | January 1982 | Dec 1983 |
| Secretary for Agriculture | John Akparibo Ndebugre | 1984 | 1985 |
| Secretary for Agriculture | Isaac Adjei-Marfo | 1985 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Agriculture | Stephen Obimpeh | 1986 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Agriculture | Ibrahim Adam | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Cocoa Affairs | Isaac Adjei-Marfo | ? | ? |
| Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs | E.G. Tanoh | 1987 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs | Nana Akuoko Sarpong | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Trade Secretary for Trade and Tourism | K. B. Asante | January 1982 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Trade Secretary for Trade and Tourism | Kofi Djin | 1986 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Trade Secretary for Trade and Tourism | John Bawa | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Culture and Tourism | Asiedu Yirenkyi | January 1982 | 1984 |
| Secretary for Culture and Tourism | Mohammed Ben Abdallah | ? | 1986 |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | John Agyekum Kufuor | January 1982 | 1982 |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | Kwame Dwemoh-Kesse | 1983 | ? |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | William H. Yeboah | 1986 | ? |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | Kofi Acquaah Harrison | c. 1986 | ? |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | Joyce Aryee | 1986 | 1988 |
| Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development | Kwamena Ahwoi | ? | ? |
| Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives | Kofi Ankomah | January 1982 | 1982 |
| Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives | Kofi Acquaah Harrison | 1982 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Fuel and Power | E. Appiah Korang | January 1982 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Fuel and Power | Ato Ahwoi | 1987 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Transport and Communications | Mahama Iddrisu | January 1982 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Transport and Communications | Kwame M. Peprah | 1986 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Transport and Communications | Yaw Donkor | 1987 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Transport and Communications | Kwame M. Peprah | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Roads and Highways | Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur | 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Roads and Highways | Yaw E. O. Donkor | 1983 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Roads and Highways | Mensah Gbedemah | 1987 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Roads and Highways | Richard Commey | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources | Kwesi Renner | 1983 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources | George Adamu | 1986 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources | Kwame Peprah | 1987 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources | J. A. Dansoh | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology | Kaku Kyiamah | January 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology | G. B. Opoku | 1983 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology | Francis Acquah | 1986 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology | K. A. Butah | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Information | Ato Austin | January 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Information | Joyce Aryee | 1983 | 1985 |
| Secretary for Information | Kofi Totobi Quakyi | 1985 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Health | Charles Buadu | 1983 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Health | E. G. Tanoh | c. 1986 | ? |
| Secretary for Health | Air Commodore F. W. Klutse | 1986 | 1988 |
| Secretary for Health | Nana Akuoko Sarpong | 1988 | 1991 |
| Secretary for Health | Stephen Obimpeh | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | Adisa Munkaila | 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | Ato Austin | 1983 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | W. H. Yeboah | 1986 | 1987 |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | Huudu Yahaya | c. 1988 | ? |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | George Adamu | ? | 1992 |
| Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity | D. S. Boateng | 1992 | 1993 |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur | 1983 | |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Mawuse Dake | January 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Alhassan Abubakar | 1983 | ? |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Kofi Sam | c. 1986 | ? |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Emmanuel Appiah Korang | | |
| Secretary for Works and Housing | Kenneth Ampratwum | | |
| Secretary Responsible For International Economic Cooperation | Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur | 1986 | 1990 |
| Secretary for Youth and Sports | Zaya Yeebo | January 1982 | 1983 |
| Secretary for Youth and Sports | Amarkai Amarteifio | 1983 | 1986 |
| Secretary for Youth and Sports | Ato Austin | 1986 | 1992 |
| Secretary for Youth and Sports | Arnold Quainoo | 1992 | 1993 |
| National Defence Committee | Mawuse Dake | 1983 | ? |
| PDCs and WDCs | Akrasi-Sarpong | c. 1983 | ? |
| Regional Secretaries |||||
| Ashanti Regional Secretary | J. Y. Ansah | ? | ? |
| Ashanti Regional Secretary | F. A. Jantuah | 1983 | ? |
| Ashanti Regional Secretary | Colonel Osei Owusu | c. 1986 | |
| Brong Ahafo Region | K. Saarah-Mensah | January 1982 | 1982 |
| Brong Ahafo Region | J. H. Owusu Acheampong | 1982 | ? |
| Brong Ahafo Region | C. S. Takyi | 1983 | ? |
| Brong Ahafo Region | Colonel Alex Antwi | c. 1986 | |
| Central Regional Secretary | Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur | 1986 | |
| Central Regional Secretary | E. G. Tanoh | 1983 | ? |
| Central Regional Secretary | Ato Austin | 1988 | 1993 |
| Central Regional Secretary | Lt. Colonel E. A. Baidoo | c. 1986 | |
| Eastern Regional Secretary | Fred Ohene-Kena | 1982 | ? |
| Eastern Regional Secretary | Daniel O. Agyekum | ? | 1986 |
| Eastern Regional Secretary | Kofi Acquaah Harrison | 1986 | ? |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Atukwei Okai | January 1982 | 1982 |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Nii Abeo Kyerekuandah | 1983 | ? |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Nii Okaidja Adamafio | 1982 | ? |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Colonel W. A. Thompson | 1985 | 1986 |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Selina Taylor | c. 1986 | |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Colonel W. A. Thompson | 1988 | 1991 |
| Greater Accra Regional Secretary | Nii Okaidja Adamafio | 1991 | ? |
| Northern Regional Secretary | Thomas Ibrahim | 1982 | ? |
| Northern Regional Secretary | D. S. Zachariah | c. 1986 | |
| Upper East Region | Kundab Mobilla | 1982 | ? |
| Upper East Region | J. E. Sakyi | c. 1986 | |
| Upper West Region | Yelibora Antumini | 1982 | 1983 |
| Upper West Region | Joseph Yieleh Chireh | 1983 | ? |
| Volta Regional Secretary | Francis Agbley | 1982 | ? |
| Volta Regional Secretary | Yao Fiagbe | c. 1982 | |
| Volta Regional Secretary | Richard Seglah | c. 1986 | |
| Western Region | J. R. E. Amenlema | 1982 | ? |
| Western Region | Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur | 1983 | 1986 |
| Western Region | Colonel W. A. Thompson | 1986 | 1988 |