Today in History: How Busia was ousted by Acheampong-led coup on January 13, 1972

On January 13, 1972, Ghana’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, was overthrown in a military coup led by Lieutenant Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.

This event marked the end of the Second Republic and ushered in a new era in Ghana’s political landscape.

In a nationwide broadcast following the coup, Colonel Acheampong addressed the nation, stating: “This government is a military government which will rule with advice from certain eminent civilians in the country.

“I would like to emphasize immediately that this coup was not initiated by the armed forces merely to satisfy our selfish ends.

“As I said in my earlier broadcasts, the takeover was occasioned principally by the hypocrisy of the Busia regime, coupled with the inefficient management by that regime of our economy, the malpractices which existed before the 1966 coup are still with us, and there was no prospect of seeing an end of them.

“Matters got steadily worse, especially in the economic period, and it became obvious that the Brazilian government had no clue as to how to arrest the position.”

He continued, “In simple terms, we are almost like a nation at war without an external enemy. The National redemption Council has therefore decided to place the economy of Ghana on the war footing.

“We are soldiers with no one way of dealing with crisis situations, and that is action. I want to ensure the nation that we shall Aspire. We shall spend no effort, and no sacrifice will be too great for us. And this gigantic task of winning a great economic war.”

Following the coup, the National Redemption Council (NRC) was established, with Colonel Acheampong serving as its chairman.

The NRC implemented various reforms, including the “Operation Feed Yourself” program aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in food production.

However, the regime faced criticism for economic mismanagement and allegations of corruption.