Office of the Historian

40. Telegram From the Embassy in Ghana to the Department of State1

Accra, July 5, 1978, 1511Z

5349. Subj: General Acheampong Resigns.

1. At 2:30 p.m. today, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs R.J.A. Felli announced to heads of all diplomatic missions, who had been summoned to his office one hour before, that Chief of State and Chairman of the Supreme Military Council General I.K. Acheampong had resigned from office as of this morning. Colonel Felli stated Acheampong, who was “safe and well” had also asked to be retired from the armed forces. The Supreme Military Council and National Redemption Council were now in emergency session and further announcements would be expected. He went on to say that there would be no fundamental changes or major departures in Ghana’s foreign policy and asked that this word be sent to the home governments of those present.

2. Comment: Announcement came as complete surprise to assembled chiefs of diplomatic missions as no prior notice or even rumors of such a move had circulated, city is calm. Announcement made on 3 p.m. Radio Ghana news broadcast. Additional information will be forwarded as received.2

Holmes
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780275–1183. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Sent for information Immediate to Abidjan, Lagos, Lome, London for Seitz, Ouagadougou, and USUN.↩
  2. Acheampong was tried and executed in June 1979.↩