Supreme Military Council, Ghana

The Supreme Military Council (SMC) was the ruling government of Ghana from October 9, 1975 to June 4 1979. Its chairman was Colonel I.K. Acheampong. He was also the Head of state of Ghana due to his chairmanship.

The period of the SMC can be divided into two eras. These are :
*Acheampong era - SMC - 1 (October 9, 1975 - July 5 1978)
*Akuffo era - SMC 2 - (July 5 1978 - June 4 1979)

The SMC was overthrown by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council on June 4 1979. This was a bloody coup during which one of the SMC members, the Army Commander Major General Odartey-Wellington was killed.

Members of SMC I (1975 - 1978)

*General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong - Chairman and Head of state (until July 5, 1978)
*Major General Lawrence A. Okai - Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces (until April 1976)
*General Fred Akuffo - Army commander (until April 1976), then Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces (April 1976 - July 5, 1978)
*Rear Admiral C.K. Dzang - Navy Commander (Jul 1975 – Jun 1977)
*Commodore P. F. Quaye - Navy commander (until April 1978)
*Brigadier Charles Beausoliel - Air Force Commander (until April 1976)
*E.K. Utuka - Border Guards commander (until June 4, 1979)
*Ernest Ako - Inspector General of Police (IGP) (September 30, 1974 – July 7, 1978);Additions
*Major General Robert E. A. Kotei - Army commander (April 1976 - June 4, 1979)
*Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume - Navy commander (April 1978-June 4, 1979)
*Air Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye - Air Force commander (April 1976 - June 4, 1979)

Members of SMC II (1978 - 1979)

Following a bloodless palace coup, General Acheampong was replaced by General Akuffo as Head of state. This took place while the government was getting increasingly unpopular following the "Unigov" referendum to enable soldiers to stay in government. The SMC II decided to revert the country to multi-party democratic rule.

;Members
*General Fred Akuffo - - Chairman and Head of state (until June 4, 1979)
*Major General Robert E. A. Kotei - Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces (until June 4, 1979)
*Major General Napoleon Alexander Odartey-Wellington - Army Commander
*Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume - Navy commander (April 1978-June 4, 1979)
*Air Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye - Air Force commander (April 1976 - June 4, 1979)
*B.S.K. Kwakye - IGP {July 17, 1978 – June 4, 1979)

References