Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

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, in a coup d'état on 31 December 1981. He remained in power until 7 January 1993. In a statement, Rawlings said 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.

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Provisional National Defence Council
Overview
Established31 December 1981 (1981-12-31)
Dissolved7 January 1993 (1993-01-07)
StateGhana
LeaderChairman (Jerry Rawlings)
HeadquartersAccra

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, in a coup d'état on 31 December 1981. He remained in power until 7 January 1993. In a statement, Rawlings said 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 Ghana's economic decay, stabilize the economy, and stimulate economic growth. The PNDC also brought a change in the people's attitude from a 'government will provide' position to participating in nation-building.

The PNDC provided a new constitution in 1992 and held elections that year. Rawlings's party, the NDC, won the presidential election with 58% of the vote. The opposition boycotted the subsequent parliamentary elections.1

Members

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

Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah, who had been retired by the Limann government, was recalled as Chief of Defence Staff and the second-in-command of the PNDC. Reverend Damuah was an outspoken priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana. Joachim Amartey Quaye was a labour leader who led a strike at the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) and was removed by Hilla Limann's government. Chris Bukari Atim was a student leader and friend of Jerry Rawlings. Adjei Buadi and Akata Pore were junior ranks in the Ghana Air Force.2

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.3

August 1992 onwards — final membership

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

Membership

PNDC Members

Position Name From To Notes
Head of state of Ghana and Chairman Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings December 1981 January 1993
Chief of the Defence Staff Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah12 January 1982 November 1982 Reappointed Chief of Defence Staff from Jan 1982 to Nov 1982
Member Vincent Kwabena Damuah13 January 1982 1982 Catholic priest
Member Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi14 January 1982 December 198415 Coordinator for the Armed Forces Defence Committees16
Member Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore January 1982 1982 Secretary Armed Forces Defence Committee1617
Member Joachim Amartey Quaye January 1982 August 1982 Union leader
Member Chris Bukari Atim January 1982 1982 General Secretary of the June Fourth Movement, Former First national vice president of the National Union of Ghana Students17
Member Aanaa Naamua Enin11 August 1982418 December 1989
Member Ebo Tawiah11 August 19824 ? Trade Union leader
Member Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu1911 October 1984 January 1993 Politician and businessman
Member Captain Kojo Tsikata11 July 1985 January 1993 National Security and Foreign Affairs, Retired soldier
Chairman of Committee of Secretaries Paul Victor Obeng11 July 1985 January 1993 Former student leader and Mechanical Engineer
Member Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo11 1982 January 1993 Chief of Defence Staff from 1983 to 1999
Member Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri 19836 1984 Nandom Naa
Died in office
Member and Chairman of the
National Commission for Democracy		 Justice Daniel Francis Annan11 1984 January 1993 Retired Appeals Court Judge
Member Susanna Al-Hassan 1985 1987 Ghana's first female minister in 1961 and author
Member Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood11 1987 1992 Chief of the Defence Staff, 1990 - 1992
Died in office March 1992
Member Mary Grant 1989 January 1993 Medical doctor
Member Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie 1992 January 1993 Chief of Air Staff until 1992
Chief of Defence Staff from March 1992.

Secretaries

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

List of secretaries (ministers) of state

Portfolio Secretary From To Notes
Chairman of Committee of Secretaries Paul Victor Obeng 1982 1993
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Obed Asamoah2021 January 1982 1993
Secretary for the Interior Johnny F. S. Hansen2022 January 1982 Apr 1982
J. M. Ewa22 Apr 1982 Dec 1982
Kofi Djin22 Dec 1982 Nov 1985
Major General Winston Mensa-Wood2321 Nov 1985 Oct 1987
Nii Okaidja Adamafio23 Oct 1987 May 1991
Nana Akuoko Sarpong23 May 1991 Mar 1992
Colonel E. M. Osei-Wusu23 Mar 1992 Jan 1993
Secretary for Finance Kwesi Botchwey21 1982 1993
Secretary for Defence Naa Polku Konkuu Chirii24 1982 Nov 1983
Rear Admiral C. K. Dzang24 22 Nov 1983 1985
Mahama Iddrisu2419 1985 6 Jan 1993
Attorney General and Secretary for Justice G. E. K. Aikins2021 January 1982 1992
E.G. Tanoh 1992 1993
Secretary for Education and Culture Christina Ama Ata Aidoo20 January 1982 1983
V. C. Dadson25 1983 ?
Joyce Aryee21 1985 1987
Mohammed Ben Abdallah26 1986 1987
K. B. Asante 1988 1989
Mary Grant 1989 1993
Secretary for Agriculture27 Eugene Bortei-Doku2028 January 1982 Dec 1983
John Akparibo Ndebugre 1984 1985
Isaac Adjei-Marfo29 1985 1986
Stephen Obimpeh21 1986 1992
Ibrahim Adam 1992 1993
Secretary for Cocoa Affairs Isaac Adjei-Marfo ? ?
Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs E.G. Tanoh 1987 1992
Nana Akuoko Sarpong 1992 1993
Secretary for Trade
Secretary for Trade and Tourism		 K. B. Asante2030 January 1982 1986
Kofi Djin21 1986 1992
John Bawa 1992 1993
Secretary for Culture and Tourism Asiedu Yirenkyi20 January 1982 1984
Mohammed Ben Abdallah21 ? 1986
Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development John Agyekum Kufuor20 January 1982 1982
Kwame Dwemoh-Kesse25 1983 ?
William H. Yeboah 1986 ?
Kofi Acquaah Harrison21 c. 1986 ?
Joyce Aryee26 1986 1988
Kwamena Ahwoi ? ?
Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives Kofi Ankomah20 January 1982 1982
Kofi Acquaah Harrison26 1982 1986
Secretary for Fuel and Power E. Appiah Korang21 January 198220 1987
Ato Ahwoi 1987 1993
Secretary for Transport and Communications Mahama Iddrisu20 January 1982 1986
Kwame M. Peprah21 1986 1987
Yaw Donkor 1987 1992
Kwame M. Peprah 1992 1993
Secretary for Roads and Highways Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur 1982 1983
Yaw E. O. Donkor21 1983 1987
Mensah Gbedemah 1987 1992
Richard Commey 1992 1993
Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources Kwesi Renner 1983 1986
George Adamu21 1986 1987
Kwame Peprah 1987 1992
J. A. Dansoh 1992 1993
Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology Kaku Kyiamah20 January 1982 198331
G. B. Opoku31 1983 1986
Francis Acquah21 1986 1992
K. A. Butah 1992 1993
Secretary for Information Ato Austin2032 January 1982 1983
Joyce Aryee 1983 1985
Kofi Totobi Quakyi21 1985 1993
Secretary for Health Charles Buadu 1983 1986
E. G. Tanoh33 c. 1986 ?
Air Commodore F. W. Klutse21 1986 1988
Nana Akuoko Sarpong 1988 1991
Stephen Obimpeh 1992 1993
Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare
Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity		 Adisa Munkaila 1982 1983
Ato Austin25 1983 1986
W. H. Yeboah21 1986 1987
Huudu Yahaya34 c. 1988 ?
George Adamu ? 1992
D. S. Boateng 1992 1993
Secretary for Works and Housing Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur 1983
Mawuse Dake2035 January 1982 198331
Alhassan Abubakar25 1983 ?
Kofi Sam21 c. 1986 ?
Emmanuel Appiah Korang
Kenneth Ampratwum
Secretary Responsible For International Economic Cooperation Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur 1986 1990
Secretary for Youth and Sports Zaya Yeebo2036 January 1982 1983
Amarkai Amarteifio 1983 1986
Ato Austin21 1986 1988
Kwame Saarah-Mensah37 1988 1992
Arnold Quainoo 1992 1993
National Defence Committee Mawuse Dake25 1983 ?
PDCs and WDCs Akrasi-Sarpong25 c. 1983 ?
Regional Secretaries
Ashanti Regional Secretary J. Y. Ansah ? ?
F. A. Jantuah25 1983 ?
Colonel Osei Owusu38 c. 1986
Brong Ahafo Region K. Saarah-Mensah20 January 1982 1982
J. H. Owusu Acheampong 1982 ?
C. S. Takyi25 1983 ?
Colonel Alex Antwi38 c. 1986
Central Regional Secretary Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur 1986
E. G. Tanoh25 1983 ?
Ato Austin 1988 1993
Lt. Colonel E. A. Baidoo38 c. 1986
Eastern Regional Secretary Fred Ohene-Kena 1982 ?
Daniel O. Agyekum2638 ? 1986
Kofi Acquaah Harrison26 1986 ?
Greater Accra Regional Secretary Atukwei Okai2039 January 1982 1982
Nii Abeo Kyerekuandah25 1983 ?
Nii Okaidja Adamafio 1982 ?
Colonel W. A. Thompson 1985 1986
Selina Taylor1938 c. 1986
Colonel W. A. Thompson 1988 1991
Nii Okaidja Adamafio 1991 ?
Northern Regional Secretary Thomas Ibrahim 1982 ?
D. S. Zachariah38 c. 1986
Upper East Region Kundab Mobilla 1982 ?
J. E. Sakyi38 c. 1986
Upper West Region Yelibora Antumini 1982 1983
Joseph Yieleh Chireh31 1983 ?
Volta Regional Secretary Francis Agbley 1982 ?
Yao Fiagbe40 c. 1982
Richard Seglah38 c. 1986
Western Region J. R. E. Amenlema 1982 ?
Dr. E. G. A. Don-Arthur25 1983 1986
Colonel W. A. Thompson38 1986 1988
References

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