In the late 1970s, Ghana was experiencing economic difficulties and widespread dissatisfaction with the government. General Fred Akuffo, who had assumed power after a previous coup in 1978, struggled to address these growing concerns. Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, who had previously been a part of the Ghanaian military, found himself increasingly at odds with the government's corruption and mismanagement. On June 4, 1979, he initiated a revolt against Akuffo's regime. Gathering military support, Rawlings and his followers executed a swift campaign that caught the existing government off-guard. Despite initial resistance, the coup successfully resulted in the removal of Akuffo. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana's political history with Rawlings at the helm of the country's leadership.

Following the coup, Jerry Rawlings established the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), aiming to align the military with the people's aspirations for justice and a better standard of living. This drastic change faced varying public reactions; many saw it as a necessary reform against a corrupt leadership, while others feared a military dictatorship. The raw ambition of Rawlings and his military allies ultimately led to a series of trials against former government officials, significantly altering the political landscape in Ghana. Rawlings promised to rid the nation of corruption and economic problems, which laid the groundwork for his later presidency.