Stories and facts

In April during the 1970s, exact year unclear due to conflicting records, but likely 1975–1978 under the National Redemption Council, General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s military government banned all organizations opposing his proposed "Union Government" (UNIGOV).  

This controversial policy sought to replace multiparty democracy with a nonpartisan system blending military, civilian, and traditional leadership. 

Acheampong, who seized power in a 1972 coup, argued that UNIGOV would eliminate corruption and tribal divisions.  

Critics, including student groups, intellectuals, and pro-democracy activists, saw it as a ploy to cement military rule. By April 1977, opposition had intensified, with the People’s Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ), led by figures like General Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, mobilizing nationwide resistance. 

Acheampong’s regime responded by outlawing anti-UNIGOV groups, arresting dissidents, and censoring media.  

The ban exemplified the suppression of civil liberties during Ghana’s military regimes, galvanizing pro-democracy movements that later contributed to the 1979 uprising under Rawlings. 

The UNIGOV saga became a cautionary tale about authoritarian overreach in Ghana. While Acheampong’s referendum (1978) technically approved UNIGOV, public backlash led to his ousting months later.  

The episode underscored Ghana’s resilience in defending democratic norms, even during military rule. 

This history resonates in modern debates about governance and constitutional reforms, reminding Ghanaians of the fragility of democratic institutions. 

Explore below the life of Kutu Acheampong.