The country's first leader and prime minister was Kwame Nkrumah[1] of the Convention People's Party (CPP).

[2] He held that post from the date of Ghana's independence – 6 March 1957 to 1 July 1960, when a new constitution came into effect that abolished the position.

When Ghana returned to civilian rule in 1969, the parliamentary system was restored.

The Progress Party (PP), led by Kofi Abrefa Busia, won parliamentary elections and he became Prime Minister on 1 October 1969.

A presidential system was instituted in 1979 when civilian rule was re-established.