Provisional National Defence Council

The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was the name of the Ghanaian government after the People's National Party's elected government was overthrown by Jerry Rawlings, the former head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, on 31 December 1981. It remained in power until 7 January 1993. In a statement explaining the coup d'état, Rawlings explained that a "holy war" was necessary due to the PNP's failure to provide effective leadership and the collapse of the national economy and state services. The PNDC was a military dictatorship that induced civilians to participate in governance. Most of its members were civilians. Its policies reflected a revolutionary government that was pragmatic in its approach. The economic objectives of the PNDC were to halt the economic decay, stabilise the economy and stimulate economic growth. Politically, its goal was to establish structures that would effectively allow the people to express their political will. Most significantly, the PNDC, carrying with it the spirit of the June 4, 1979 Uprising, brought a change in the people’s attitude from a 'government will provide' position to being proactive in nation-building.

The PNDC eventually gave up power, provided a new constitution in 1992 and held elections that year. Rawlings's party, the NDC, officially swept that presidential election with over 58%. The opposition boycotted the subsequent parliamentary elections.^[1]

Members

The seven original members of the PNDC from its inception were as follows:

• Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
• Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah - retired Chief of Defence Staff
• Reverend Dr. Vincent Kwabena Damuah
• Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi
• Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore
• Joachim Amartey Quaye
• Chris Bukari Atim

Departures and replacements

Over the years, some people were added to the membership and others left. A number left in 1982 due to ideological differences. Joachim Amartey Quaye was executed for his involvement in the murder of three senior judges and a retired army officer. Rev. Damuah who was suspended from the Catholic Church because of his involvement in the government left in late 1982 and started his own church later called the Afrikania Mission, an organization devoted to the promotion of African Traditional Religion.^[2]

Additions Mrs. Aanaa Naamua Enin- appointed 1985[3] Ebo Tawiah Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri Justice D.F. Annan- appointed 1984[4] Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama - appointed 1984[5] Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata P. V. Obeng Major General Arnold Quainoo Maj. Gen. Winston C.M. Mensa-Wood Captain (rtd) Kingsley Bruce Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant - appointed 1989[3] Mrs. Susanna Al-Hassan - appointed 1985[3]

Departures Brigadier Joseph Nunoo Mensah - resigned 1982 Rev.Dr. Kwabena Damuah - resigned 1982 Warrant Officer I Mumuni Seidu- resigned June 1994 Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi - resigned December 1984 Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore Joachim Amartey Quaye - executed August 1982[6] Chris Bukari Atim Ebo Tawiah Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri - died 25 August 1984[5] Brigadier W. M. Mensa-Wood Captain Kingsley Bruce Mrs. Susanna Al-Hassan - departed 1987 Mrs. Anaa Naamua Enin - left in 1989

August 1992 onwards - Final membership

• Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
• Justice D. F. Annan
• Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama
• Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata
• P. V. Obeng
• Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo
• Air Vice Marshal Dumashie
• Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant(Ghana)

Membership

Position	Name	Dates	Notes
Head of state of Ghana and Chairman	Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings	1981 – 93
Chief of the Defence Staff	Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah	1981 – 82
Member	Vincent Kwabena Damuah	1982
Member	Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi	1981 – 84
Member	Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore	1981 – 82
Member	Joachim Amartey Quaye	1981 – 82
Member	Chris Bukari Atim	1981 – 82
Member and Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy	Justice Daniel Francis Annan	1984 – 93
Member	Susanna Al-Hassan	1985 – 87
Member	Anaa Naamua Enin	1985 – 89
Member	Ebo Tawiah	? – ?
Member	Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri	? – ?
Member	Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama	1982 – 93
Member	Captain Kojo Tsikata	1982 – 93
Chairman of Committee of Secretaries	Paul Victor Obeng	1982 – 93
Member	Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo	1982 – 93
Member	Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood	1987 – 92
Member	Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie	1982 – 93
Member	Mary Grant	1989 – 93

Secretaries

The officials in charge of the various ministries were designated as Secretaries of state.

Portfolio	Secretary	Time frame	Notes
Chairman of Committee of Secretaries	Paul Victor Obeng	1982 – 93
Secretary for Foreign Affairs	Obed Asamoah	1982 – 93
Secretary for Interior	Asiedu Yirenkyi Kofi Djin Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood E. M. Osei-Wusu	1982 – 83 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Finance	Kwesi Botchwey	1982 – 93
Secretary for Defence	Iddrisu Mahama	1982 – 93
Attorney General and Secretary for Justice	G. E. K. Aikins E. C. Tanoh	1983 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Education and Culture	Christina Ama Ata Aidoo V. C. Dadson Joyce Aryee Mohammed Ben Abdallah Adisa Munkaila Mary Grant	1982 – 83 1983 1985 – 87 1987 1988 – 89 1989 – 93
Secretary for Agriculture[7]	Bortei Doku John Ndebugre Isaac Adjei-Marfo Steve Obimpeh Ibrahim Adams	1982 – 83 1984 – 85 1985 – 86 1986 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Cocoa Affairs	Isaac Adjei-Marfo	? – ?
Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs	Emmanuel Tanoh Nana Sarpong Akuoku	1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Trade Secretary for Trade and Tourism	? Kofi Djin John Bawa	1982 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development	John Agyekum Kufuor William H. Yeboah Joyce Aryee Kwamena Ahwoi	1982 1987 1987 – 88 ? – ?
Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives	Acquah Harrison	1982 – ?
Secretary for Fuel and Power	Appiah Korang Ato Ahwoi	1983 – 87 1987 – 93
Secretary for Transport and Communications	Mahama Iddrisu Yaw Donkor Kwame Peprah	1983 – 87 1987 – 12 1992 – 93
Secretary for Roads and Highways	Yaw Donkor Mensah Gbedemah Richard Commey	1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources	Kwesi Renner Kwame Peprah J. A. Dansoh	1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology	G. B. Opoku Francis Acquah K. A. Butah	1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Information	Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi	1982 – 85 1985 – 93
Secretary for Health	Charles Buadu Air Commodore F. W. Klutse Steve Obimpeh	1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity	Adisa Munkaila Ato Austin George Adamu D. S. Boateng	1982 1982 – 83 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Secretary for Works and Housing	Dr. Mawuse Dake Alhassan Abubakar Emmanuel Appiah Korang Kenneth Ampratwum
Secretary for Youth and Sports	Amarkai Amarteifio Ato Austin Arnold Quainoo	1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93
Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture	Alexander Asum-Ahensah	? – ?
Regional Secretaries
Ashanti Region	J. Y. Ansah	? – ?
Brong Ahafo Region	J. H. Owusu-Acheampong	1982 – ?
Central Region	Ato Austin	1982 – ?
Eastern Region	F. Ohene-Kenah	1982 – ?
Greater Accra Region	Nii Okaidja Adamafio	1982 – ?
Northern Region	Thomas Ibrahim	1982 – ?
Upper East Region	Kundab Mobilla	1982 – ?
Upper West Region	Yelibora Antumini	1982 – ?
Volta Region	Francis Agbley	1982 – ?
Western Region	J. R. E. Amenlema	1982 – ?

References

1. Jeffries, Richard & Thomas, Clare (1993). "The Ghanaian Elections of 1992". African Affairs. 92 (368): 331–366.
2. "Ghana - Libation issue rears up again". African News Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
3. Martin K.I Christensen. "Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership". Retrieved 2010-06-05.
4. Ghana News Agency. "Justice Daniel Francis Annan". Ghana Famous People. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
5. "The Rawlings Revolution". GhanaDistricts.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
6. ""Chapter 2— Ghana in Economic Crisis" in The Politics of Reform in Ghana, 1982–1991". p. 32. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
7. "Former Heads of MoFA". Official website. Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved 7 August 2012.