Gen. Kutu Acheampong’s Family Pushes For Legacy Revival

The family of the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong has appealed to the government to revisit and sustain some of the former military leader’s development policies to help address Ghana’s current economic challenges.

The family said policies introduced during General Acheampong’s administration, particularly in agriculture, housing, economic self-reliance and job creation, could provide useful lessons for tackling unemployment and promoting economic growth.

The appeal was made at Atwima Hwidiem in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region on Sunday, September 27, 2026, when the chief and immediate family commemorated the 95th birthday of the former Head of State.

General Acheampong, born on September 23, 1931, served as Ghana’s Head of State from January 13, 1972, to July 5, 1978, when he was removed from office in a palace coup. He was executed on June 16, 1979.

The Chief of Atwima Hwidiem, Nana Boadi Ababio, who organised the commemoration with the immediate family, said some of General Acheampong’s policies remained relevant to the country’s development.

He expressed concern about the high level of unemployment among the youth and argued that greater attention to agriculture and local production could create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Nana Boadi appealed to the government not to allow what he described as the positive aspects of General Acheampong’s legacy to die, particularly his emphasis on agricultural production and economic self-reliance.

Operation Feed Yourself

He cited Operation Feed Yourself, launched in 1972, as one of the major programmes introduced during the Acheampong administration.

The programme sought to promote agricultural self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on imported food and improve national food security.

According to Nana Boadi, the initiative contributed to increased local production of staples such as rice and maize during its early years.

He also mentioned the administration’s economic self-reliance policies, including efforts to increase Ghanaian participation in foreign-owned mining and timber companies.

Operation Keep Right

Nana Boadi further cited Operation Keep Right, which saw Ghana switch from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right on August 4, 1974.

He said the successful implementation of the exercise demonstrated the ability of the government at the time to undertake major national programmes.

The chief also recalled housing projects undertaken during the Acheampong era, including the Dansoman Estate in Accra and other housing developments across the country.

Health, Education

According to Nana Boadi, the administration also invested in health and education infrastructure, including regional hospitals and facilities for medical and technical training.

He further mentioned the repatriation and state burial of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who died in exile in 1972, as one of the developments associated with the period.

Military Career

Nana Boadi said General Acheampong was born in Kumasi and had his early education at Trabuom Elementary School, St. Peter’s Catholic School in Kumasi and the Central College of Commerce at Agona Swedru in the Central Region.

He enlisted in the Gold Coast Frontier Force as a recruit in 1951 and rose through the ranks to become one of the prominent officers in the Ghana Armed Forces.

He led the country under the National Redemption Council (NRC), which was later transformed into the Supreme Military Council (SMC) on October 9, 1975.

General Acheampong was executed by firing squad on June 16, 1979, together with other senior military officers following the June 4, 1979 uprising led by then Captain Boakye Djan.

The uprising resulted in the establishment of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), headed by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings.

Family Members

Members of the immediate family who participated in the commemoration included Pastor Alfred Owusu Ansah and Stephen Adjei Acheampong, Head of the Family, as well as Richard Acheampong, Kwabena Owusu Acheampong, Theresa Acheampong, Yaw Acheampong, Faustina Acheampong and Rose Acheampong.

The family reiterated its call for the government to revisit policies associated with General Acheampong, particularly those relating to agriculture, housing, economic self-reliance and job creation.