Presidents of Ghana

Below are notable presidents of Ghana in chronological order, with the years each served and a brief summary.

Served: 1969–1970

Army officer who headed the ruling council in 1969–1970 and oversaw the return to civilian government.

Served: 1970–1972

Ceremonial president of the Second Republic; deposed in the January 1972 coup.

Served: 1972–1978

Seized power in a 1972 coup and led military governments until being forced out in 1978.

Served: 1978–1979

Military head of state removed in the June 1979 coup.

Served: 1979, 1981–2001

Led a brief takeover in 1979, returned in 1981, and later won the 1992 and 1996 elections; he served until January 2001.

Served: 1979–1981

Elected president in 1979; removed by Rawlings in the coup of 31 December 1981.

Served: 2001–2009

Served two terms and handed over power peacefully in 2009.

Served: 2009–2012

Died in office on 24 July 2012.

Served: 2012–2017, 2025–present

Succeeded Mills in 2012, lost the 2016 election, and returned to office after the December 2024 election.

Served: 2017–2025

Served two terms from January 2017 to January 2025.

Sources: Archontology.org, Ghana: Heads of State; Wikipedia, President of Ghana (checked Nov 2026). Last reviewed November 2026.

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