The second coup d’état in Ghana’s history occurred on January 13, 1972, when the government, led by Dr Kofi Busia as Prime Minister, and Edward Akufo-Addo as Ceremonial President, was overthrown.
Dr Busia, while in Britain for a medical check-up, was overthrown by a military junta led by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.
A rare video sighted by GhanaWeb shows the reaction of Dr Busia after his overthrow was announced.
The late former Prime Minister, who was being interviewed by a British journalist about the coup, remained adamant, stating that he was still the leader of Ghana.
“I am the elected head of the government of Ghana. There has not been an election. There has only been an adventure by a small band of the military people stationed in Accra.
“My information is that the coup hasn’t got nationwide support… I have no doubt that it will fail,” Dr Busia added.
He refuted the justification given by the coup leaders for his removal, including accusations of malpractices and arbitrary arrests.
“There has not been a single person detained in the two years that I have been in office. And these preposterous charges, I think anybody in Ghana who knows me, knows the truth and knows this is senseless nonsense,” he said.
Asked whether he was feeling “very depressed,” Dr Busia retorted, “I am sad. I am sad because I can think of the tragedy this would be for Africa and particularly for Ghana. And that of course, makes me sad. But I am not depressed in the sense that I have no faith or confidence in eventual victory. We shall win through.”
Watch a video of his remarks below:
An exclusive video of Kofi Abrefa Busia’s interview after his overthrow by the National Redemption Council (NRC), led by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, on January 13, 1972. pic.twitter.com/cMS59vlJsx
— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) June 2, 2025
BAI/AE
