THE STORE ROOM

GHANA,IN OFFICE.

The people who have held the presidency. The country through their years.

8 presidents. 4 republics.
A history you can move through.

NkrumahE. Akufo-AddoLimannRawlingsKufuorAtta MillsMahamaNana Akufo-Addo

1960 to the present
Independent Ghana. An open record.

Start the journey
1960–1966 Source ↗

First Republic

The presidency begins in 1960. Independence had come three years earlier.

I · First Republic Start
1960–1966
First Republic
1960–1966Office record ↗

Kwame Nkrumah

Ghana's first president. His years in office followed the independence government he led as prime minister.

Three records to explore

  1. Ghana became independent on 6 March. Nkrumah was prime minister at the time; the presidency began in 1960. Source ↗

  2. Nkrumah commissioned the first phase on 22 January. The original hydroelectric works were built between 1961 and 1965. Source ↗

  3. The motorway opened during Nkrumah's administration, linking Accra with the port and industrial city of Tema. Source ↗

Born in Nkroful ↗
I · First Republic 1 of 1
1966–1969 · Between republics

Military rule

The National Liberation Council followed Nkrumah's overthrow. Joseph Ankrah and then Akwasi Afrifa led it before the return to constitutional government.

Read the chronology ↗
COUP
24 Feb 1966–2 Apr 1969

Joseph Arthur Ankrah

Chairman
National Liberation Council

Office record ↗
COUP
2 Apr–3 Sep 1969

Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa

Chairman
National Liberation Council

Office record ↗
The constitutional handover

Raphael Nii Amaa Ollennu

Afrifa chaired the Presidential Commission after the NLC ended. Speaker Nii Amaa Ollennu then performed the functions of president for 24 days before Edward Akufo-Addo took office.

Transition record ↗
7–31 Aug 1970

Acting head of state
Speaker performing presidential functions

Office record ↗
1969–1972 Source ↗

Second Republic

A president and a prime minister held different offices. Edward Akufo-Addo entered the presidency in 1970.

II · Second Republic Start
1970–1972
Second Republic
1970–1972Office record ↗

Edward Akufo-Addo

A lawyer and former chief justice became the Second Republic's non-executive president. Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia led the government.

The republic began in 1969. A Presidential Commission, then acting head of state Nii Amaa Ollennu, preceded Akufo-Addo.

Three civic milestones

  1. Before his presidency, Akufo-Addo served as Ghana's chief justice. Source ↗

  2. He chaired the commission working on proposals for a new constitution before the Second Republic. Source ↗

  3. He served as president alongside Prime Minister Busia under the 1969 Constitution. Source ↗

Born in Dodowa ↗
II · Second Republic 1 of 1
1972–1979 · Between republics

The republic is interrupted

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, then Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo, led military governments. Jerry Rawlings's AFRC took power in June 1979 before the handover to Limann.

Read the chronology ↗
COUP
13 Jan 1972–5 Jul 1978

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong

Head of state
NRC → Supreme Military Council

Office record ↗
COUP
5 Jul 1978–4 Jun 1979

Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo

Head of state
Supreme Military Council II

Office record ↗
COUP
4 Jun–24 Sep 1979

Jerry John Rawlings

Chairman
Armed Forces Revolutionary Council

Office record ↗
1979–1981 Source ↗

Third Republic

A brief return to civilian government under the 1979 Constitution.

III · Third Republic Start
1979–1981
Third Republic
1979–1981Office record ↗

Hilla Limann

The Third Republic's only president led a civilian government between two periods of military rule.

Three records to explore

  1. Limann took office on 24 September under the Third Republic's constitution. Source ↗

  2. He commissioned the medical research institute in November. Construction had begun in 1977 with Japanese support. Source ↗

  3. Limann opened a women's cooperative gari factory on 11 July. Ghana's delegation reported the initiative at that year's UN conference on women. Source ↗

Born in Gwollu ↗
III · Third Republic 1 of 1
1981–1993 · Between republics

The PNDC years

Rawlings took power again on 31 December 1981. The Provisional National Defence Council governed until the Fourth Republic began.

Read the chronology ↗
COUP
31 Dec 1981–7 Jan 1993

Jerry John Rawlings

Chairman
Provisional National Defence Council

Office record ↗
1993–present Source ↗

Fourth Republic

The 1992 Constitution brought Ghana back to constitutional rule in 1993.

IV · Fourth Republic Start
1993–2001
Fourth Republic
1993–2001Office record ↗

Jerry John Rawlings

After leading the AFRC and PNDC military governments, Rawlings became the first president of the Fourth Republic.

His earlier military rule is recorded in the intervals between republics.

Three records to explore

  1. Constitutional government resumed. Rawlings served two elected presidential terms. Source ↗

  2. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice was established under the Constitution and Act 456. Source ↗

  3. The Ghana Education Trust Fund was established to supplement public funding for education. Source ↗

Born in Accra ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 1 of 6
2001–2009
Fourth Republic
2001–2009Office record ↗

John Agyekum Kufuor

Kufuor served two terms. Health insurance, school meals and cash support became part of Ghana's social protection system during his presidency.

Three records to explore

  1. Act 650 created the legal framework for the National Health Insurance Scheme. Source ↗

  2. The Ghana School Feeding Programme began, connecting school meals with enrolment, nutrition and local food production. Source ↗

  3. Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty introduced cash transfers for extremely poor and vulnerable households. Source ↗

Born in Kumasi ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 2 of 6
2009–2012
Fourth Republic
2009–2012Office record ↗

John Evans Atta Mills

Mills served from 2009 until his death in office in July 2012. His vice president, John Mahama, succeeded him.

Three records to explore

  1. Mills led the first-oil ceremony on 15 December. The field had been discovered in 2007 under the previous administration. Source ↗

  2. Act 828 established the University of Health and Allied Sciences. Teaching began in September 2012. Source ↗

  3. Act 830 established the University of Energy and Natural Resources on 31 December. Source ↗

Born in Tarkwa ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 3 of 6
2012–2017
Fourth Republic
2012–2017Office record ↗

John Dramani Mahama

Mahama succeeded Mills in 2012, won the election later that year and returned to the presidency in January 2025.

Succeeded Mills in July 2012; began his elected term in January 2013.

Three records to explore

  1. The station was commissioned on 19 December during Mahama's earlier presidency. Its construction contract dates to 2007. Source ↗

  2. Commercial operation began in April during his earlier presidency. Project agreements and construction began under Mills. Source ↗

  3. Mahama opened the interchange in November during his earlier presidency, replacing the old traffic circle in Accra. Source ↗

Born in Damongo ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 4 of 6
2017–2025
Fourth Republic
2017–2025Office record ↗

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Akufo-Addo served two terms from 2017 to 2025. His presidency included Free SHS, the Right to Information Act and Ghana's hosting of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Three records to explore

  1. The Free Senior High School policy began in September, extending access to public secondary education. Source ↗

  2. The Right to Information Act established a legal route for requesting information from public institutions. Source ↗

  3. Ghana handed over the Secretariat building in Accra to the African Union on 17 August. Source ↗

Born in Accra ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 5 of 6
In office · 2025–present
Fourth Republic
2025–presentOffice record ↗

John Dramani Mahama

Mahama succeeded Mills in 2012, won the election later that year and returned to the presidency in January 2025.

Returned on 7 January 2025. The project selection below is explicitly from his 2012–2017 presidency; this term is still in progress.

From his earlier presidency

  1. The station was commissioned on 19 December during Mahama's earlier presidency. Its construction contract dates to 2007. Source ↗

  2. Commercial operation began in April during his earlier presidency. Project agreements and construction began under Mills. Source ↗

  3. Mahama opened the interchange in November during his earlier presidency, replacing the old traffic circle in Accra. Source ↗

Born in Damongo ↗
IV · Fourth Republic 6 of 6
GULF OF GUINEA1234567123456789

Map: Natural Earth. Coordinates: GeoNames, CC BY 4.0; Otuam: Wikidata, CC0.
Points mark approximate town locations.

The record
stays open.

Every presidency leaves more than three entries. Follow the sources, revisit the years, and bring your own questions.

Back to the beginning ↑
Full source list · 53 records
  1. After Independence · Judicial Service of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  2. History of Ghana's Parliament · Parliament of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  3. Ghana: Heads of State, 1960–2026 (historical terms only; current entry is stale) · Archontology · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  4. Profile: John Dramani Mahama · Presidency of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  5. President Ruto attends the swearing-in of Ghana's new President, Mahama · Presidency of Kenya · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  6. Maraaba newsletter, issue 4: profile of Kwame Nkrumah · Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  7. Akosombo Hydro Plant · Volta River Authority · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  8. 2023 Composite Budget: Akosombo Dam history · Asuogyaman District Assembly · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  9. President cuts sod for Accra–Tema Motorway reconstruction · Ghana News Agency · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  10. August 28, 1970: Edward Akufo-Addo is named President of the Second Republic · Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  11. Black History at St Peter's College: Edward Akufo-Addo · St Peter's College, University of Oxford · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  12. The Legon Observer, 17 March 1967: Constitutional Commission correspondence · The Legon Observer / University of Ghana Library · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  13. Dr. Hilla Limann 1934–1998: His Life and Times (MPhil thesis, June 2011) · University of Cape Coast / Agape Kanyiri Damwah · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  14. The Past, Present and Future · Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  15. Ghana statement to the 1980 World Conference of the UN Decade for Women · Government of Ghana / United Nations Digital Library · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  16. Profile of Jerry John Rawlings · Ghana Broadcasting Corporation · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  17. Jerry John Rawlings biography · Office of Jerry John Rawlings · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  18. History · Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  19. GETFund: supporting education since 2000 · Ghana Education Trust Fund · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  20. John Agyekum Kufuor appointed Chancellor of UMaT · University of Mines and Technology · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  21. National Health Insurance Act 2003, Act 650 · Parliament of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  22. Ghana School Feeding Programme Secretariat · Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  23. Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty · Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  24. Remembering President Evans Atta Mills 11 years on · Ghana Broadcasting Corporation · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  25. Profile of John Evans Atta Mills: born in Tarkwa, hails from Ekumfi Otuam · University of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  26. Cadman Mills says the family hails from Cape Coast, not Otuam · News Ghana / Starr Chat · Retrieved 2026-09-24
  27. 2010 Annual Report and Accounts, Jubilee first-oil ceremony · Tullow Oil · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  28. Who We Are · University of Health and Allied Sciences · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  29. About Us · University of Energy and Natural Resources · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  30. My Story · John Dramani Mahama · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  31. Who is John Dramani Mahama? · Ghana News Agency · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  32. Bui Generating Station · Bui Power Authority · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  33. History and project timeline · Ghana National Gas Company · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  34. Nkrumah Interchange inaugurated to boost traffic flow in Accra, 15 November 2016 · Graphic Communications Group · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  35. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo · University of Ghana Alumni Relations Office · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  36. Profile of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo · Ghana News Agency / BusinessGhana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  37. Minister urges African leaders to adopt Free SHS · Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  38. Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) · Right to Information Commission · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  39. Official handover and commissioning of the AfCFTA Secretariat, 17 August 2020 · African Union · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  40. Country Profile: Government and Politics · Ghana Free Zones Authority · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  41. Down memory lane: reproduction of 1 September 1970 inauguration report · Graphic Communications Group · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  42. Ghana Flag, Coat of Arms and National Anthem · Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  43. Independence Square · Ghana Tourism Authority · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  44. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park · Ghana Tourism Authority · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  45. Bank Notes and Coins: evolution of currency in Ghana · Bank of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  46. Upgraded banknotes: cowrie, star and cocoa security images · Bank of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  47. A sweet legacy: celebrating Cocoa Day · Ghana Cocoa Board · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  48. Visit Parliament House · Parliament of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  49. The Presidency · The Presidency, Republic of Ghana · Retrieved 2026-09-22
  50. Admin 0 – Countries, 1:50 million · Natural Earth · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  51. Admin 0 – Countries, 1:110 million · Natural Earth · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  52. Ghana gazetteer extract (GH.zip) · GeoNames · Retrieved 2026-09-21
  53. Otuam (Q28223331) · Wikidata · Retrieved 2026-09-22
The record