🇬🇭 Introduction

After the overthrow of Ghana’s First Republic in 1966, the country was governed by the National Liberation Council for a period. In 1969, Ghana returned to constitutional civilian rule, beginning the Second Republic. This new era introduced a different system of leadership under Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. Although the government introduced important policies and development programmes, economic difficulties and public dissatisfaction eventually contributed to its overthrow.

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🎯 What You’ll Learn

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Explain how Ghana’s Second Republic began.
• Identify the main leaders and political party of the Second Republic.
• Describe important achievements of the government.
• Explain major challenges faced during the period.
• Describe how and why the Second Republic came to an end.

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What Was the Second Republic?

Ghana’s Second Republic was the period of constitutional civilian government from:

1969 to 1972

It followed the period of military and police rule under the National Liberation Council (NLC), which had taken power after the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah in 1966.

A new constitution was introduced in 1969, and elections were held to restore civilian government.

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🗳️ The 1969 General Election

Political parties participated in elections held in 1969.

The Progress Party (PP), led by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, won the parliamentary election.

This resulted in Busia becoming the country’s Prime Minister.

The Second Republic officially began on:

1 October 1969

Ghana had therefore returned to constitutional civilian government.

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👥 Leadership of the Second Republic

Unlike the First Republic, where Kwame Nkrumah served as executive President, the Second Republic operated a system in which the positions of Head of State and Head of Government were separated.

👤 Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia

Dr. K. A. Busia served as:

Prime Minister and Head of Government

He was the leader of the Progress Party (PP).

As Prime Minister, he played the central role in running the government.

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👤 Edward Akufo-Addo

Edward Akufo-Addo served as:

President and Head of State

His position was largely ceremonial, while executive authority was exercised principally by the Prime Minister and his government.

This arrangement differed from the presidential system of the First Republic.

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🏛️ The 1969 Constitution

The Second Republic operated under the 1969 Constitution.

The Constitution provided for:

• A parliamentary system of government.
• A Prime Minister as Head of Government.
• A President as Head of State.
• A multiparty political system.
• Parliamentary representation.

The system was designed to restore constitutional government following the period of military rule.

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Goals of Busia’s Government

The new government faced the difficult task of managing Ghana’s economy while maintaining democratic government.

Its major concerns included:

• Economic recovery.
• Rural development.
• Education.
• Agricultural development.
• Employment.
• Infrastructure.
• Encouraging private enterprise.
• Improving public administration.

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🌾 Achievements of the Second Republic

Despite its relatively short period in office, the Second Republic undertook a number of programmes.

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🏘️ 1. Rural Development

Busia’s government placed considerable emphasis on improving rural communities.

The government sought to improve facilities and services in areas outside the major towns and cities.

This was important because a large proportion of Ghana’s population lived in rural areas.

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🛣️ 2. Development of Infrastructure

Efforts were made to improve infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

These included attention to:

• Roads.
• Water supply.
• Electricity.
• Communication.
• Other community facilities.

Improved infrastructure was expected to encourage economic activity and raise living standards.

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🌾 3. Promotion of Agriculture

Agriculture remained a major part of Ghana’s economy.

The government sought to encourage:

• Increased agricultural production.
• Rural farming.
• Production of food crops.
• Greater participation in agriculture.

Agricultural development was important for food supply, employment and national income.

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💼 4. Encouragement of Private Enterprise

Busia’s government favoured a greater role for the private sector in economic development.

Private individuals and businesses were encouraged to participate in productive economic activities.

The government believed that private enterprise could:

• Create jobs.
• Increase production.
• Encourage investment.
• Support economic growth.

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🏫 5. Education

The government continued efforts to improve education and make the educational system more responsive to the country’s development needs.

Attention was given to:

• Educational administration.
• Teacher development.
• School facilities.
• Making education relevant to employment and national development.

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🏛️ 6. Restoration of Constitutional Government

One of the most important features of the Second Republic was the restoration of civilian constitutional rule.

The country again had:

• An elected Parliament.
• Political parties.
• A civilian government.
• Constitutional institutions.

This represented a return from military government to civilian administration.

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Challenges of the Second Republic

The Second Republic lasted for only a little over two years. During this period, it faced significant economic and political difficulties.

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💰 1. Economic Difficulties

Busia inherited an economy already facing serious problems.

Challenges included:

• Foreign debt.
• Limited foreign exchange.
• Pressure on government finances.
• High development costs.
• Dependence on cocoa exports.

These problems made it difficult for the government to meet public expectations.

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📉 2. Falling Cocoa Prices

Cocoa was one of Ghana’s most important exports.

When world cocoa prices declined, Ghana earned less foreign exchange.

This affected:

• Government revenue.
• Foreign exchange availability.
• Development programmes.
• The wider economy.

Ghana’s dependence on a limited number of export commodities made the economy vulnerable to changes in international prices.

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💱 3. Devaluation of the Cedi

One of the most controversial economic decisions of Busia’s government was the devaluation of the cedi in 1971.

Devaluation means officially reducing the value of a country’s currency in relation to foreign currencies under the exchange-rate system then in use.

The government hoped the measure would help address economic problems.

However, it became unpopular because it contributed to concerns about:

• Higher prices.
• Cost of imported goods.
• Cost of living.
• Economic hardship.

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📈 4. Rising Cost of Living

Economic difficulties affected ordinary citizens.

As prices increased, many people found it more difficult to afford basic necessities.

This contributed to growing dissatisfaction with the government.

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👷 5. Unemployment

Unemployment remained a significant challenge.

Many people, particularly young people, wanted jobs that the economy could not provide quickly enough.

This added to public frustration.

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🚶 6. The Aliens Compliance Order

In 1969, Busia’s government implemented the Aliens Compliance Order.

Foreign nationals who did not have the required legal documents were directed to regularise their status or leave Ghana.

The policy affected many foreign residents, particularly West Africans engaged in trading and other economic activities.

Supporters viewed it as enforcement of Ghana’s immigration laws and an effort to protect economic opportunities.

Critics highlighted the social and economic disruption associated with its implementation.

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⚖️ 7. Political and Institutional Tensions

The government also experienced disagreements involving political and institutional decisions.

Some government policies attracted criticism, while economic difficulties reduced public confidence.

Managing constitutional government while dealing with severe economic problems became increasingly difficult.

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The End of the Second Republic

On:

13 January 1972

Busia’s government was overthrown in a military coup led by:

Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong

Busia was outside Ghana at the time of the coup.

The overthrow brought the Second Republic to an end.

The military established the:

National Redemption Council (NRC)

Acheampong became the head of the new military government.

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Why Did the Second Republic End?

Several factors contributed to the government’s overthrow.

💰 Economic Hardship

Ghana’s continuing economic difficulties reduced public confidence.

💱 Devaluation

The 1971 devaluation became highly unpopular among sections of the population.

📈 Rising Cost of Living

Higher prices created hardship for many households.

👷 Unemployment

The government struggled to provide enough employment opportunities.

👥 Public Dissatisfaction

Economic difficulties and controversial policies contributed to growing dissatisfaction.

🎖️ Military Intervention

The military eventually intervened and removed the elected government.

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Comparing the First and Second Republics

Understanding the differences between the two periods is important.

Both republics ended through military intervention rather than completing a normal constitutional transfer of power.

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Lessons From the Second Republic

The experience of the Second Republic provides several important lessons.

📊 Economic Stability Supports Political Stability

Severe economic hardship can create dissatisfaction and weaken confidence in government.

🌍 Economic Diversification Is Important

Heavy dependence on a small number of exports can make a country’s economy vulnerable to international price changes.

🏛️ Constitutional Government Requires Protection

Democratic institutions need to be respected and strengthened even during difficult economic periods.

👥 Government Policies Affect People’s Lives

Major economic decisions should consider their effects on households, businesses and vulnerable groups.

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📅 Important Dates to Remember

1966 — First Republic ended.

1969 — Elections were held and constitutional government was restored.

1 October 1969 — Second Republic began.

1969 — Aliens Compliance Order was implemented.

1971 — Cedi was devalued.

13 January 1972 — Busia’s government was overthrown.

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📌 Key Words

• Second Republic: Ghana’s period of constitutional civilian government from 1969 to 1972.
• Progress Party (PP): Political party led by Dr. K. A. Busia.
• Prime Minister: Head of Government under the parliamentary system of the Second Republic.
• Devaluation: Official reduction in the value of a currency relative to foreign currencies under a fixed exchange-rate arrangement.
• Private Enterprise: Businesses owned and operated by individuals or private organisations.
• Aliens Compliance Order: A 1969 directive requiring foreign nationals without the required legal status to regularise their stay or leave Ghana.
• Military Coup: The seizure of political power by members of the armed forces outside normal constitutional procedures.

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📝 Lesson Summary

Ghana’s Second Republic lasted from 1969 to 1972. Under the 1969 Constitution, Edward Akufo-Addo served as President and Head of State, while Dr. K. A. Busia, leader of the Progress Party, served as Prime Minister and Head of Government. The government promoted rural development, agriculture, private enterprise, infrastructure and education. However, economic difficulties, falling cocoa prices, unemployment, rising living costs and the controversial devaluation of the cedi created serious challenges. On 13 January 1972, Colonel I. K. Acheampong led a military coup that ended the Second Republic.

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🎯 Let’s Practise!

A. Multiple Choice

1. Who served as Prime Minister during Ghana’s Second Republic?

A. Edward Akufo-Addo
B. K. A. Busia
C. I. K. Acheampong
D. Kwame Nkrumah

2. Which political party formed the government of the Second Republic?

A. Convention People’s Party
B. People’s National Party
C. Progress Party
D. National Democratic Congress

3. Which feature distinguished the Second Republic from the First Republic?

A. The Second Republic operated a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as Head of Government.
B. Ghana was not independent during the Second Republic.
C. The Second Republic had no constitution.
D. Ghana had no Head of State during the Second Republic.

4. Which economic decision became particularly controversial during Busia’s government?

A. Construction of the Akosombo Dam.
B. Devaluation of the cedi.
C. Introduction of the 1960 Constitution.
D. Creation of a one-party state.

5. What immediately brought the Second Republic to an end?

A. A general election.
B. Busia’s resignation.
C. A military coup led by I. K. Acheampong.
D. The death of the President.

B. True or False

6. Edward Akufo-Addo served as President during Ghana’s Second Republic. ________

7. Ghana’s Second Republic ended in a military coup in 1972. ________

8. Kwame Nkrumah was Prime Minister during the Second Republic. ________

C. Short Answer Questions

9. State four achievements or major areas of focus of the Second Republic.

10. Explain four challenges that contributed to difficulties faced by Busia’s government.

✅ Answers: 1. B | 2. C | 3. A | 4. B | 5. C | 6. True | 7. True | 8. False