Below is a comprehensive list of all the leaders who have served as presidents of Ghana since 1957, along with their terms of office:
Table of Contents:
| Time Period | President | Political Party | Years in Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monarchy (1957-1960) | Queen Elizabeth II | N/A | 1957-1960 |
| First Republic (1960-1966) | Kwame Nkrumah | Convention People’s Party (CPP) | 1960-1966 |
| Military Rule (1966-1969) | Lt. Gen. Joseph Arthur Ankrah | N/A | 1966-1969 |
| Military Rule (1969-1970) | Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa | N/A | 1969-1970 |
| Second Republic (1969-1972) | Edward Akufo-Addo | Progress Party (PP) | 1970-1972 |
| Second Republic (1969-1972) | Kofi Abrefa Busia (Acting) | Progress Party (PP) | 1969-1972 |
| Military Rule (1972-1978) | Ignatius Kutu Acheampong | National Redemption Council (NRC) | 1972-1978 |
| Military Rule (1978-1979) | Lt. Gen. Frederick Kwasi Akuffo | Supreme Military Council (SMC) | 1978-1979 |
| Third Republic (1979-1981) | Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings | Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) | 1979, 1981-1993 |
| Third Republic (1979-1981) | Hilla Limann | People’s National Convention (PNC) | 1979-1981 |
| Fourth Republic (1993-Present) | Jerry Rawlings | National Democratic Congress (NDC) | 1993-2001 |
| Fourth Republic (1993-Present) | John Agyekum Kufuor | New Patriotic Party (NPP) | 2001-2009 |
| Fourth Republic (1993-Present) | John Atta Mills | National Democratic Congress (NDC) | 2009-2012 |
| Fourth Republic (1993-Present) | John Dramani Mahama | National Democratic Congress (NDC) | 2012-2017 |
| Fourth Republic (1993-Present) | Nana Akufo-Addo | New Patriotic Party (NPP) | 2017-Present |
How Many Leaders Has Ghana Had Since Independence?
Since gaining independence on March 6, 1957, Ghana has been led by 13 presidents, including both democratically elected leaders and military heads of state.
Who Was Ghana’s First President and When Did He Serve?
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first president, taking office when the nation transitioned from a British colony, known as the Gold Coast, to a republic on July 1, 1960.
Ghana achieved independence on March 6, 1957, and Nkrumah played a pivotal role in this milestone. Born on September 21, 1909, he studied in the United States, where he became deeply engaged in African independence movements.
As the leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nkrumah was a driving force in the push for self-governance. Initially serving as Prime Minister after independence, he became president in 1960 under a new constitution. His leadership focused on uniting African nations and promoting Pan-Africanism. However, his presidency ended abruptly in 1966 due to a military coup, leading to his exile.
Who Is Ghana’s Current President?
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, born on March 29, 1944, in Accra, is the current president of Ghana, serving as the 12th president. A key figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he first assumed office on January 7, 2017, after winning the 2016 election against John Dramani Mahama, the 11th president.
Akufo-Addo secured a second term in the 2020 election, again defeating Mahama, and began his second term on January 7, 2021. His administration has prioritized economic development, education, and healthcare, notably introducing the “Free Senior High School” program, which provides tuition-free education for senior high school students.
Prior to his presidency, Akufo-Addo served as Attorney General and Minister for Foreign Affairs under President John Kufuor. He is widely recognized for his commitment to democratic values and effective governance.
Who Were the Presidents of Ghana’s Fourth Republic?
The Fourth Republic of Ghana, which began in 1993, has seen the following presidents:
1. Jerry Rawlings (1993-2001)
Jerry Rawlings, born in 1947, was the first president of the Fourth Republic. He initially seized power through a military coup in 1981 and led as a military ruler until 1993. Elected president in 1992 and re-elected in 1996, he served until 2001. Rawlings passed away in 2020 at age 73.
2. John Kufuor (2001-2009)
Born in 1938, John Kufuor was elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. His presidency marked Ghana’s first peaceful democratic power transition since independence. A founder of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he served two terms until 2009.
3. John Atta Mills (2009-2012)
John Atta Mills, born in 1944, became president in 2008 after serving as vice president under Rawlings from 1997 to 2001. Tragically, he passed away in July 2012 at age 68, becoming the first Ghanaian president to die in office.
4. John Mahama (2012-2017)
Born in 1958, John Mahama became president in 2012 following Mills’ death, having served as vice president. He was elected in his own right in 2012 and served until 2017.
5. Nana Akufo-Addo (2017-Present)
Nana Akufo-Addo, born in 1944, was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Before his presidency, he served as Attorney General (2001-2003) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2003-2007). He continues to lead Ghana in his second term.
