Ignatius Kutu Acheampong ( ; 23 September 1931 – 16 June 1979) was a Ghanaian military officer and politician who was the military head of state of Ghana from 13 January 1972 to 5 July 1978, when he was deposed in a palace coup. He was executed by firing squad on 16 June 1979.

Early life and education

Acheampong was born to Catholic parents of Ashanti origin. His parents were James Kwadwo Kutu Acheampong, a Catholic catechist, and Madam Akua Manu.

Acheampong worked as a stenographer/secretary at Timber Sawmill in Kumasi and taught at Kumasi Commercial College before becoming Vice-Principal at Agona-Swedru College of Commerce.

Acheampong trained at Aldershot Garrison in England, as a cadet officer. He was commissioned in the Ghana Army in 1959, and served as a member of the UN peacekeepers during the Congo Crisis.

Politics

Acheampong's first foray into politics was as the Western Regional Commissioner under the National Liberation Council military government, which had overthrown the CPP Kwame Nkrumah government.

On 13 January 1972, as Colonel, and commander of Ghana's First Infantry Brigade,

On 9 October 1975, now a General, he became head of state and chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC), which later became the Supreme Military Council. Also, Ghana began experiencing the troubles it had suffered under previous administrations, with increasing food prices and soaring inflation.

In 1976, under intense political pressure, Acheampong began to flirt with the idea of a government in which the military could play a role Acheampong was court-martialed and executed along with General Edward Kwaku Utuka by firing squad on 16 June. Ten days later, two other former heads of state, Akwasi Afrifa and Fred Akuffo, and senior military officers Joy Amedume, George Boakye, Roger Joseph Felli and Robert Kotei, were executed. The AFRC returned Ghana to civilian rule three months after the uprising.

See also

  • National Redemption Council
  • Supreme Military Council
  • Corruption in Ghana

References

  • Ghana-pedia webpage – I.K. Acheampong