42 years ago a group of junior military officers orchestrated a coup which marked the beginning of a new political regime in Ghana. The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, (AFRC) which will later metamorphose into a democratic party-NDC was led by Flt Lt JJ Rawlings whom by his charisma and exuberance attracted massive support from the Youth bracket in the country.
On June 4 1979 the Supreme Military Council (SMC) led by General F. W. K. Akuffo, which replaced the National Redemption Council on 9 October 1975, was toppled by Flt Lt JJ Rawlings and his colleagues.
JJ Rawlings was arrested and put under detention on Tuesday the 15th of May, 1979 for attempting to stage a coup against the Supreme Military Council (SMC) which was Chaired by F. W. K. Akuffo. His (Rawlings’) action was met with sympathy from young army officers and students alike who initiated a campaign for his release or otherwise face their wrath.
Rawlings’ colleagues (junior army officers) saw him as a man who cared deeply about the welfare of his people. “He was also depicted as being immensely concerned about the ‘starvation’ going on among the ‘ordinary people'”.
The students from the Universities circulated posters in Accra, anonymous letters and calls were made to the Defence Headquarters calling on the authorities to leave JJ alone or face the consequences.
Students added a loud voice to the government for his release and his colleagues from the armed forces facilitated his release.
In the night of June 3rd 1979, junior military officers broke into the jail where Rawlings was being held and freed him, and marched him to the national radio station to make an announcement and subsequently took over the reigns of power on June 4 1979.
Rawlings was appointed the head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) to run the country.
He handed over power to Dr. Hilla Limann in September 1979, but overthrew Limann again on 31 December 1981.
