Echoes of a Life Remembered
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Biography of the late Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka
Jun 26, 2025
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By: Ismail Akwei
Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (September 26, 1926 – April 17, 1967) was a prominent Ghanaian military officer best known for his pivotal role in the 1966 coup that overthrew President Kwame Nkrumah. Born in Alakple in the Volta Region, Kotoka joined the Gold Coast Regiment in 1947 and steadily rose through the ranks, earning a reputation for discipline and leadership.
By the mid-1960s, Kotoka had become a key figure in Ghana’s armed forces. On February 24, 1966, as a brigadier, he led the military uprising that ousted Nkrumah’s government, citing economic mismanagement and political repression. Following the successful coup, Kotoka became a member of the National Liberation Council (NLC), the military government that took charge of the country.
As a leader within the NLC, Kotoka was tasked with restoring order and steering Ghana towards civilian rule. His tenure was marked by efforts to stabilise the economy and open up the political space after years of one-party rule. Tragically, Kotoka’s life was cut short in April 1967 during an attempted counter-coup at Accra’s military airport, which was later named Kotoka International Airport in his honour.
Kotoka is remembered as a decisive figure during a critical turning point in Ghana’s history, his name forever linked to the country’s journey through political upheaval and transition.
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