[5] Then commander of Ghana's First Infantry Brigade,[4] Acheampong led a bloodless coup d'état to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Progress Party and its leader Dr Kofi Busia on 13 January 1972.

Notable historical changes and events introduced or implemented in Ghana during the period under Acheampong include: the change from the imperial to the metric system of measurement, change from driving on the left to right-hand traffic in "Operation Keep Right", Operation Feed Yourself (a programme aimed at developing self-reliance in agriculture), "National Reconstruction" (aimed at promoting employment and skill for workers), face-lift projects in cities, and the reconstruction/upgrading of stadia to meet international standards.

[8] Also, Ghana began experiencing the troubles it had suffered under previous administrations, with increasing food prices and soaring inflation.

[5] Following the 4 June 1979 military uprising that brought Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings and the young officers of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) to power,[9] Acheampong was court martialed and executed along with General Edward Kwaku Utuka by firing squad on 16 June.

Ten days later, two other former heads of state, Akwasi Afrifa and Fred Akuffo, and senior military officers Joy Amedume, George Boakye, Roger Joseph Felli and Robert Kotei, were executed.