June 4th revolution in Ghana
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| June 4 revolution | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Ghana(Supreme Military Council) |
Armed Forces Revolutionary Council | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ignatius Kutu Acheampong Fred Akuffo |
Jerry Rawlings | ||||||
TheJune 4th Revolution[1]orJune 4th Uprisingwas an uprising inGhanain 1979 that arose due to a conflict between the lower ranks and officers in the Ghana armed forces.[2]This led to frustration among the general public and misunderstandings within the Ghanaian army.[3][4][5][6][7]
Cause[edit]
The revolution began when the military government of theSupreme Military Council(SMC II), consisting of Lieutenant GeneralFred Akuffo,put Flight LieutenantJerry John Rawlingson public trial for attempting to overthrow the government on May 15, 1979. This failed coup had happened because Rawlings, a junior soldier in theGhanaian Army,and otherGhanaiansoldiers were not given their salaries.
Rawlings turned the trial against the government by accusing it of massive corruption and requesting his fellow accused to be set free as he was solely responsible for the mutiny. He was publicly sentenced to death and imprisoned.[8]
On the night of June 3rd, 1979, junior military officers, including Major Boakye Djan, broke into the jail where Rawlings was held and helped free him. They then marched him to the national radio station to make an announcement. The first time the public heard from Rawlings was a statement that Rawlings had been released by the junior officers and that he was under their command. He requested all soldiers to meet with him at the Nicholson Stadium inBurma Camp,inAccra.
The soldiers rounded up senior military officers including three former heads of state, GeneralFred Akuffo,Ignatius Kutu AcheampongandAkwasi Afrifafor trial. They were executed by a firing squad.
Aftermath[edit]
Rawlings was then appointed the head of theArmed Forces Revolutionary Council(AFRC) by the revolting junior military officers to run the country until the ongoing election was completed.
Rawlings handed over his Power toDr. Hilla Limannin September 1979. Rawlings later overthrew Limann's Government on 31 December 1981.
Though June 4th became a noted date in Ghana's history, it has been said to have caused negative repercussions for the nation.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Gocking, Roger, "The History of Ghana", Greenwood Publishing Group (2005), p. 212,ISBN9780313318948[1]
- ^Pieterse, Jan (April 1, 1982)."Rawlings and the 1979 revolt in Ghana".Race & Class.23(4).Retrieved30 May2024.
- ^Modern Ghana: "Credit June 4 Uprising for Ghana's political stability - Boakye Gyan"(4 June 2007), (retrieved 25 January 2018)
- ^Amamoo, Joseph G., "The Ghanaian Revolution", p. 190,iUniverse(2000),ISBN9780595146277[2]
- ^Ninsin, Kwame A., "Issues in Ghana's Electoral Politics", p. 40, CODESRIA (2017),ISBN9782869786943[3]
- ^New York Times:"Hard. Times Follow Ghana Coup" (30 July 1979)[4](Retrieved 25 January 2018)
- ^El País:"Los golpistas de Ghana prometen elecciones este mes" (6 June 1979)[5](Retrieved 25 January 2018)
- ^"June 4th Is About Values And Principles".Modern Ghana.Retrieved2021-03-13.
Bibliography[edit]
- Amamoo, Joseph G., "The Ghanaian Revolution", p. 190, iUniverse (2000),ISBN9780595146277[6]
- Ninsin, Kwame A., "Issues in Ghana's Electoral Politics", p. 40, CODESRIA (2017),ISBN9782869786943[7]
- Gocking, Roger, "The History of Ghana", Greenwood Publishing Group (2005), p. 212,ISBN9780313318948[8]
- New York Times:"Hard. Times Follow Ghana Coup" (30 July 1979)[9]
- El País:"Los golpistas de Ghana prometen elecciones este mes" (6 June 1979)[10]