Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, born on 23 September 1931, was a Ghanaian military officer and politician who served as the head of state of Ghana from 13 January 1972 until he was overthrown on 5 July 1978 in a palace coup. He was later executed by firing squad on 16 June 1979.
Acheampong was born to Catholic parents of Ashanti descent. His father, James Kwadwo Kutu Acheampong, was a Catholic catechist, and his mother was Madam Akua Manu.
He received his early education at Roman Catholic schools in Trabuom and Kumasi before attending the Central College of Commerce in Agona Swedru. He worked as a stenographer at a timber company and later became a teacher and vice principal at a commercial college.
He trained as a cadet officer in Aldershot, England, and was commissioned into the Ghana Army in 1959. He served as a UN peacekeeper during the Congo Crisis.
Acheampong entered politics as the Western Regional Commissioner under the National Liberation Council after the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah’s government.
As commander of the First Infantry Brigade, he led a bloodless coup on 13 January 1972 that ousted the government of Dr. Kofi Busia. He became head of state and chairman of the National Redemption Council, which was later renamed the Supreme Military Council, with Acheampong promoted to General.
During his leadership, notable changes included the adoption of the metric system, switching traffic to right-hand driving, and launching national programs such as Operation Feed Yourself and National Reconstruction.
He also permitted the repatriation and burial of Kwame Nkrumah in his hometown of Nkroful. However, Acheampong’s regime faced allegations of corruption, rising inflation, and food shortages. In response to political pressure, he proposed a Union Government combining civilian and military rule, which was met with public protests and violence, particularly in Kumasi.
After the June 1979 uprising led by Jerry John Rawlings and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, Acheampong was court-martialed and executed along with General Edward Utuka. Ten days later, other senior military figures, including two former heads of state, were also executed. The AFRC handed over power to civilian rule three months later.
Acheampong was married to Faustina Acheampong. He was the grandfather of American football player Charlie Peprah and Fulham F.C. striker Yakini Acheampong. Though raised a Catholic, he also participated in spiritual and traditional religious ceremonies during his time in power.
