The Political history of Ghana recounts the history of varying political systems that existed in Ghana during pre-colonial times, the colonial era and after independence. Pre-colonial Ghana was made up of several states and ethnic groups whose political system was categorized by 3 main administrative models; Centralized, Non-centralized and Theocratic states. In the colonial era, the British Empire employed different forms of government among its four territorial possessions in the Gold Coast. Indirect rule was implemented in the late 19th century after its success in Northern Nigeria. From the 1940s, native Ghanaians yearned for more autonomy. This resulted in the several constitutional reforms as well as the creation of the office of the Prime Minister in 1952.
The Gold Coast gained independence in 1957 under the legal name of Ghana. Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah was elected as the 1st President of Ghana in 1960. The government of Kwame Nkrumah won the approval of a constitutional referendum in 1964, that made Ghana a One-party state and him, president for life. The Nkrumah government was deposed in a Coup initiated by the National Liberation Council. Ghana became a Republic once more on 1 October 1969 when the National Liberation Council handed power over to civilian rule. A new constitution was drafted based on the parliamentary system of government in the United Kingdom. Between 1972 and 1979, Ghana fell under the rule of several military dictators. John Jerry Rawlings led an uprising on 4 June 1979 which transitioned the country to democratic rule by September 1979.
In 1981, John Rawlings seized the country in a Coup and the military government ruled Ghana until 1993, when a transition process was in place to hand over power from the military back to civilian rule. The 4th Republic was inaugurated on 7 January 1993.
Pre-colonial Ghana
There were three main forms of political systems among the natives of Pre-colonial Ghana. These were centralized states, Non-centralized groups and Theocracies.
Centralized States
Ashanti Empire
The Ashanti Empire was created from a confederacy of several chiefdoms and united as a single state under the Golden stool. The Asantehene was the highest form of authority in the empire where most of Ashanti's power centered upon. He did not enjoy absolute rule. If the Asantehene violated the oaths he took during his enstoolment, he could be impeached. The Asanteman Council served as the advisory body to the king. Every Metropolitan Ashanti state was headed by an Amanhene or paramount chief who served as the principal rulers of each state. The Ohene was in charge of the state divisions whiles the odikro exercised jurisdiction over all villages in Ashanti. The Kotoko Council was the legislative body of the empire.
Mole-Dagbani
In Mole-Dagbani, every state had its own autonomous government that was headed by a supreme ruler. For example, the supreme ruler of the Mamprusi was known as the Nayiri whilst that of the Gonja was the Yagbumwura. A council of elders existed to assist the supreme ruler in his administration of the state. Below the supreme ruler and Council of elders were the divisional chiefs who were responsible for the various divisions in the state.
Non-Centralized states
Ethnic groups such as Vagala, Sisala, Guan and Talensi in Northern Ghana were acephalous states with no organized political system. They lacked a central government to make and enforce laws. An individual landlord executed authority over all lands. Among the Talensi for example, such landlords were referred to as the Tendaana. Each Talensi family lineage was headed by an elder known as the Kpe'em who was socially abs spiritually responsible for the conduct of the members of his lineage.
Theocracies
Theocratic groups included the Ga-Adangbe, and the Guan where power rested in the hands of a priestly class. The Ga-Adangbe lacked a central authority since each Ga settlement was autonomous. The Wulomei or fetish priest represented the Ga priestly class. In time, the Ga city states separated political power from religious authority. The position of state chief, known as Gã Mantse became responsible for civil matters while religious authority remained in the hands of the Wulomei, yet still, the Wulomei had great influence in the administration of the state.