Afrifa, Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwa (1936-1979)

Ghanaian army officer, former head of state (from April to September 1969), and a principal leader of the coup of 1966 that overthrew Kwame Nkrumah. In 1969 he became chair of the National Liberation Council, the ruling military group, and subsequently head of state. The same year he returned Ghana to civilian rule. He retired from the army in 1970 and later that year joined the council of state, remaining in office until 1972 when the Busia government was ousted by General Acheampong. He was arrested for supporting Busia and detained until 1973. Acheampong was overthrown in 1978, and Afrifa was elected to parliament in 1979. The same year, following the Rawlings coup, he was arrested on corruption charges and executed.