Evolutionary Governance Theory a Comparative Historical Analysis of the Rule of Acheampong & Rawlings, 1972-1992

Military interventions have been a major part of the historiography of Ghana since post-independence. The paper critically examines the military regimes of General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings in Ghana. It focuses on their distinct governance styles and the economic and institutional factors catalysing their rise to power. Through a robust qualitative historical method, it adeptly utilises primary and secondary sources, including archival documents, newspapers, and scholarly articles, to fortify its arguments. It unequivocally fills this gap, providing a meticulous analysis of the contrasting governance approaches undertaken by Acheampong and Rawlings. Evaluating the ideological orientation and leadership styles of the Acheampong and Rawlings and theorising aspects of their regimes with the Evolutionary Governance Theory, the paper argues that the regimes were established due to economic factors and the alienation of the military institution from the governance structure in the country. Acheampong’s regime is markedly characterised by a nationalistic and non-partisan governance strategy, notably resisting a return to constitutional rule throughout his tenure. In stark contrast, Rawlings adopted a more inclusive approach to governance, facilitating broader participation from the populace and eventually restoring civilian rule. This represents a pivotal divergence in their ideologies and methods of military governance. The paper further explores the socio-economic landscape that influenced these military regimes. Both regimes grappled with economic mismanagement, implementing policies centred on import substitution and export promotion while encountering rampant corruption. It convincingly argues that the military’s motivations for intervention were deeply rooted in the economic crises exacerbated by prior democratic administrations and the shortcomings of civilian politicians. The analysis embeds the governance styles of Acheampong and Rawlings within the framework of Evolutionary Governance Theory, asserting that these regimes emerged due to the military’s disconnection from traditional governance structures. While both leaders share a common military background, their divergent governance strategies and contrasting legacies regarding constitutional order reflect the broader tensions embedded in Ghana’s political evolution during this critical period.