This book analyses Flight-Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings’ plans for radical democratisation in Ghana, involving ordinary people directly in the country’s political and economic decision-making processes. Rawlings came to power in Ghana in late 1981 determined to restructure the characteristics of Ghana's political and economic systems. Despite Rawlings’ aim to bring ordinary Ghanaians into the decision-making process, his regime was still heavily dependent on the support of the military and attempts at direct democracy ultimately ended in failure. Outside analysts have viewed his plans as one of Africa’s most draconian economic reform programmes. The book traces this turbulent period of Ghana’s history, showing Rawlings’ development from a fiery revolutionary to a democracy-supporting politician adept at winning elections. It investigates how, despite frequent coup attempts and the loss of most of its original civilian support base, the regime was able to remain in power, overseeing a halt to economic decline and a return to growth. Building on over thirty years of research, including contemporaneous interviews conducted by the author during Ghana’s ‘revolutionary’ period, this book will be of interest to researchers of African history and politics.

Appendix 1 : Profile of political parties, 1946-1994. - 2 : Government Ghana 1957-1994. - 3 : A chronology of major political events since 31 December 1981. - 4 : Other forms of direct foreign assistance.

When in March, 1957, Ghana became the first African country in colonial Africa to achieve Independence, the event was enthusiastically welcomed by millions of Africans and liberal non-Africans. Many African people looked up to Ghana with hope, confidence and pride. These people hoped that the torch of freedom would be held aloft in their own countries also. That Ghana had among the highest per capita income in Africa and the best developed educational and health facilities were but some of the factors establishing Ghana's position of stature in Africa. The question then is, how it comes about that beginning with such historic political and economic achievements, the country deteriorated through a series of military coups that eventually led to the bloody revolution of June, 1979. Could the revolution have been avoided? What are the lessons that Ghana itself, and other African countries, can learn? The Ghanaian Revolution attempts, clearly and dispassionately, to answer these questions.

This book was published in the immediate aftermath of Jerry Rawlings' 1981 coup, and proclamation of the Ghana Revolution in January 1982. The author gives an account of the history of the socialist African revolution in Ghana from Nkrumah to Rawlings. He argued that Rawlings represented a continuity of the socialist African revolution, which drove Nkrumah and other revolutionary leaders to commit the resources and future of Ghana to overcome the imperial powers. He puts the case for the continuing need for a unified, self-reliant socialist state, and considers the high hopes for Rawlings' revolution and socialist ideology, with which he concurs, including his potential to inspire other African revolutions, provide the strong African leadership required for greater African economic independence, and an African presence in international relations. The book represents a historical view of Rawlings' role at a particular point in time.