Limann was an economic moderate who supported democratic values and Pan-Africanism. His presidency was marked by efforts to stabilize the economy and promote democracy.

Hilla Limann was born on December 12, 1934, in Gwollu, Ghana. He studied at the London School of Economics, Sorbonne University, and the University of Paris, earning degrees in political science, history, and a Ph.D. in political science and constitutional law.

Limann served as a diplomat in Lomé and Geneva, holding various roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including head of the Europe Desk and counsellor at Ghana's Permanent Mission in Geneva.

He became the eighth President of Ghana on September 24, 1979, after winning the presidential election on the People's National Party ticket. He was the only president of Ghana's Third Republic.

Limann was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George in 1981. The Hilla Limann Foundation was established to promote human rights and democracy in his memory.

Limann was deposed in a coup by Jerry Rawlings on December 31, 1981. He later founded the People's National Convention and ran for president again in 1992, receiving 6.7% of the vote.

Limann was married to Fulera Limann and had seven children. He died on January 23, 1998, due to chronic health issues and was buried in his hometown of Gwollu.