Provisional National Defence Council

The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was the name of the Ghanaian government after the People's National Party's elected government was overthrown by Jerry Rawlings, the former head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, on 31 December 1981. It remained in power until 7 January 1993. In a statement explaining the coup d'état, Rawlings explained that a "holy war" was necessary due to the PNP's failure to provide effective leadership and the collapse of the national economy and state services. The PNDC was a military dictatorship that induced civilians to participate in governance. Most of its members were civilians. Its policies reflected a revolutionary government that was pragmatic in its approach. The economic objectives of the PNDC were to halt the economic decay, stabilise the economy and stimulate economic growth. Politically, its goal was to establish structures that would effectively allow the people to express their political will. Most significantly, the PNDC, carrying with it the spirit of the June 4, 1979 Uprising, brought a change in the people’s attitude from a 'government will provide' position to being proactive in nation-building.

The PNDC eventually gave up power, provided a new constitution in 1992 and held elections that year. Rawlings's party, the NDC, officially swept that presidential election with over 58%. The opposition boycotted the subsequent parliamentary elections.

Members
The seven original members of the PNDC from its inception were as follows:
 * Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
 * Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah - retired Chief of Defence Staff
 * Reverend Dr. Vincent Kwabena Damuah
 * Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi
 * Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore
 * Joachim Amartey Quaye
 * Chris Bukari Atim

Departures and replacements
Over the years, some people were added to the membership and others left. A number left in 1982 due to ideological differences. Joachim Amartey Quaye was executed for his involvement in the murder of three senior judges and a retired army officer. Rev. Damuah who was suspended from the Catholic Church because of his involvement in the government left in late 1982 and started his own church later called the Afrikania Mission, an organization devoted to the promotion of African Traditional Religion.

Additions
 * Mrs. Aanaa Naamua Enin- appointed 1985
 * Ebo Tawiah
 * Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri
 * Justice D.F. Annan- appointed 1984
 * Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama - appointed 1984
 * Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata
 * P. V. Obeng
 * Major General Arnold Quainoo
 * Maj. Gen. Winston C.M. Mensa-Wood
 * Captain (rtd) Kingsley Bruce
 * Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie
 * Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant - appointed 1989
 * Mrs. Susanna Al-Hassan - appointed 1985

Departures
 * Brigadier Joseph Nunoo Mensah - resigned 1982
 * Rev.Dr. Kwabena Damuah - resigned 1982
 * Warrant Officer I Mumuni Seidu- resigned June 1994
 * Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi - resigned December 1984
 * Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore
 * Joachim Amartey Quaye - executed August 1982
 * Chris Bukari Atim
 * Ebo Tawiah
 * Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri - died 25 August 1984
 * Brigadier W. M. Mensa-Wood
 * Captain Kingsley Bruce
 * Mrs. Susanna Al-Hassan - departed 1987
 * Mrs. Anaa Naamua Enin - left in 1989

August 1992 onwards - Final membership

 * Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings - Chairman
 * Justice D. F. Annan
 * Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama
 * Captain (rtd) Kojo Tsikata
 * P. V. Obeng
 * Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo
 * Air Vice Marshal Dumashie
 * Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant

Membership
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PNDC Members
! width=250 | Position ! width=200 | Name ! width=250 | Dates ! width=200 | Notes
 * Head of state of Ghana and Chairman || Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings || 1981 – 93 ||
 * Chief of the Defence Staff || Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah || 1981 – 82 ||
 * Member || Vincent Kwabena Damuah || 1982 ||
 * Member || Warrant Officer I Joseph Adjei Buadi || 1981 – 84 ||
 * Member || Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore || 1981 – 82 ||
 * Member || Joachim Amartey Quaye || 1981 – 82 ||
 * Member || Chris Bukari Atim || 1981 – 82 ||
 * Member and Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy || Justice Daniel Francis Annan || 1984 – 93 ||
 * Member || Susanna Al-Hassan || 1985 – 87 ||
 * Member || Anaa Naamua Enin || 1985 – 89 ||
 * Member || Ebo Tawiah || ? – ? ||
 * Member || Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri || ? – ? ||
 * Member || Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Captain Kojo Tsikata || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Chairman of Committee of Secretaries || Paul Victor Obeng || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood || 1987 – 92 ||
 * Member || Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Mary Grant || 1989 – 93 ||
 * }
 * Member || Ebo Tawiah || ? – ? ||
 * Member || Naa Polku Konkuu Chiiri || ? – ? ||
 * Member || Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Captain Kojo Tsikata || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Chairman of Committee of Secretaries || Paul Victor Obeng || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood || 1987 – 92 ||
 * Member || Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Mary Grant || 1989 – 93 ||
 * }
 * Member || Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Maj. Gen. Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood || 1987 – 92 ||
 * Member || Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Mary Grant || 1989 – 93 ||
 * }
 * Member || Air Vice Marshal A. H. K. Dumashie || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Member || Mary Grant || 1989 – 93 ||
 * }
 * }
 * }

Secretaries
The officials in charge of the various ministries were designated as Secretaries of state.

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List of secretaries (ministers) of state
! width=250 | Portfolio ! width=200 | Secretary ! width=250 | Time frame ! width=200 | Notes Kofi Djin Winston C. M. Mensa-Wood E. M. Osei-Wusu || 1982 – 83 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 || 1985 – 93 || ! colspan=4 |Regional Secretaries
 * Chairman of Committee of Secretaries || Paul Victor Obeng || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Foreign Affairs || Obed Asamoah || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Interior || Asiedu Yirenkyi
 * Secretary for Foreign Affairs || Obed Asamoah || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Interior || Asiedu Yirenkyi
 * Secretary for Interior || Asiedu Yirenkyi
 * Secretary for Finance || Kwesi Botchwey || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Defence || Iddrisu Mahama || 1982 – 93 ||
 * Attorney General and Secretary for Justice || G. E. K. Aikins E. C. Tanoh || 1983 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Education and Culture || Christina Ama Ata Aidoo V. C. Dadson Joyce Aryee Mohammed Ben Abdallah Adisa Munkaila Mary Grant || 1982 – 83 1983 1985 – 87 1987 1988 – 89 1989 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Agriculture || Bortei Doku John Ndebugre Isaac Adjei-Marfo Steve Obimpeh Ibrahim Adams || 1982 – 83 1984 – 85 1985 – 86 1986 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Cocoa Affairs || Isaac Adjei-Marfo || ? – ? ||
 * Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs || Emmanuel Tanoh Nana Sarpong Akuoku || 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Trade Secretary for Trade and Tourism || ? Kofi Djin John Bawa || 1982 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development || John Agyekum Kufuor William H. Yeboah Joyce Aryee Kwamena Ahwoi || 1982 1987 1987 – 88 ? – ? ||
 * Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives || Acquah Harrison || 1982 – ? ||
 * Secretary for Fuel and Power || Appiah Korang Ato Ahwoi || 1983 – 87 1987 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Transport and Communications || Mahama Iddrisu Yaw Donkor Kwame Peprah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 12 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Roads and Highways || Yaw Donkor Mensah Gbedemah Richard Commey || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources || Kwesi Renner Kwame Peprah J. A. Dansoh || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology || G. B. Opoku Francis Acquah K. A. Butah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development || John Agyekum Kufuor William H. Yeboah Joyce Aryee Kwamena Ahwoi || 1982 1987 1987 – 88 ? – ? ||
 * Secretary for Rural Development and Co-operatives || Acquah Harrison || 1982 – ? ||
 * Secretary for Fuel and Power || Appiah Korang Ato Ahwoi || 1983 – 87 1987 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Transport and Communications || Mahama Iddrisu Yaw Donkor Kwame Peprah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 12 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Roads and Highways || Yaw Donkor Mensah Gbedemah Richard Commey || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources || Kwesi Renner Kwame Peprah J. A. Dansoh || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology || G. B. Opoku Francis Acquah K. A. Butah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Roads and Highways || Yaw Donkor Mensah Gbedemah Richard Commey || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources || Kwesi Renner Kwame Peprah J. A. Dansoh || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology || G. B. Opoku Francis Acquah K. A. Butah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Industry, Science and Technology || G. B. Opoku Francis Acquah K. A. Butah || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Information || Joyce Aryee Kofi Totobi Quakyi || 1982 – 85
 * Secretary for Health || Charles Buadu Air Commodore F. W. Klutse Steve Obimpeh || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Secretary for Mobilization and Productivity || Adisa Munkaila Ato Austin George Adamu D. S. Boateng || 1982 1982 – 83 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Secretary for Works and Housing || Dr. Mawuse Dake Alhassan Abubakar Emmanuel Appiah Korang Kenneth Ampratwum || ||
 * Secretary for Youth and Sports || Amarkai Amarteifio Ato Austin Arnold Quainoo || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture || Alexander Asum-Ahensah || ? – ? ||
 * Secretary for Works and Housing || Dr. Mawuse Dake Alhassan Abubakar Emmanuel Appiah Korang Kenneth Ampratwum || ||
 * Secretary for Youth and Sports || Amarkai Amarteifio Ato Austin Arnold Quainoo || 1983 – 87 1987 – 92 1992 – 93 ||
 * Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture || Alexander Asum-Ahensah || ? – ? ||
 * Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture || Alexander Asum-Ahensah || ? – ? ||
 * Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture || Alexander Asum-Ahensah || ? – ? ||
 * Ashanti Region || J. Y. Ansah || ? – ? ||
 * Brong Ahafo Region || J. H. Owusu-Acheampong || 1982 – ? ||
 * Central Region || Ato Austin || 1982 – ? ||
 * Eastern Region || F. Ohene-Kenah || 1982 – ? ||
 * Greater Accra Region || Nii Okaidja Adamafio || 1982 – ? ||
 * Northern Region || Thomas Ibrahim || 1982 – ? ||
 * Upper East Region || Kundab Mobilla || 1982 – ? ||
 * Upper West Region || Yelibora Antumini || 1982 – ? ||
 * Volta Region || Francis Agbley || 1982 – ? ||
 * Western Region || J. R. E. Amenlema || 1982 – ? ||
 * }
 * Northern Region || Thomas Ibrahim || 1982 – ? ||
 * Upper East Region || Kundab Mobilla || 1982 – ? ||
 * Upper West Region || Yelibora Antumini || 1982 – ? ||
 * Volta Region || Francis Agbley || 1982 – ? ||
 * Western Region || J. R. E. Amenlema || 1982 – ? ||
 * }
 * Volta Region || Francis Agbley || 1982 – ? ||
 * Western Region || J. R. E. Amenlema || 1982 – ? ||
 * }
 * }
 * }