[3][4][5] The revolution began when the military government of the Supreme Military Council (SMC II), consisting of Lieutenant General Fred Akuffo, put Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings on public trial for attempting to overthrow the government on 15 May 1979.

[6] On the night of 3 June 1979, junior military officers, including Major Boakye Djan, broke into the jail where Rawlings was held and helped free him.

The first time the public heard from Rawlings was a statement that he had been released by the junior officers and that he was under their command.

The soldiers rounded up senior military officers, including three former heads of state, General Fred Akuffo, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and Akwasi Afrifa for trial.

Rawlings was then appointed the head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) by the revolting junior military officers to run the country until the ongoing election was completed.