List of Presidents of Ghana: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Ghana from 1960 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Ghana, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Ghana: John Dramani Mahama (in office since 2025).

Presidents of Ghana in order, with years in office

Kwame Nkrumah

Served: 1960–1966

Led Ghana to independence in 1957 as prime minister and became its first president on 1 July 1960; overthrown in the coup of 24 February 1966.

Joseph Arthur Ankrah

Served: 1966–1969

Army general who led the coup against Nkrumah and chaired the National Liberation Council; resigned on 2 April 1969 over a bribery scandal.

Akwasi Afrifa

Served: 1969–1970

Army officer who headed the ruling council in 1969–1970 and oversaw the return to civilian government.

Edward Akufo-Addo

Served: 1970–1972

Ceremonial president of the Second Republic; deposed in the January 1972 coup.

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong

Served: 1972–1978

Seized power in a 1972 coup and led military governments until being forced out in 1978.

Fred Akuffo

Served: 1978–1979

Military head of state removed in the June 1979 coup.

Jerry Rawlings

Served: 1979, 1981–2001

Led a brief takeover in 1979, returned in 1981, and later won the 1992 and 1996 elections; he served until January 2001.

Hilla Limann

Served: 1979–1981

Elected president in 1979; removed by Rawlings in the coup of 31 December 1981.

John Kufuor

Served: 2001–2009

Served two terms and handed over power peacefully in 2009.

John Atta Mills

Served: 2009–2012

Died in office on 24 July 2012.

John Dramani Mahama

Served: 2012–2017, 2025–present

Succeeded Mills in 2012, lost the 2016 election, and returned to office after the December 2024 election.

Nana Akufo-Addo

Served: 2017–2025

Served two terms from January 2017 to January 2025.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Ghana

Who is the current president of Ghana?

The current president of Ghana is John Dramani Mahama, in office since 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Ghana?

The presidents and heads of state of Ghana listed on this page, in order, are: Kwame Nkrumah, Joseph Arthur Ankrah, Akwasi Afrifa, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Fred Akuffo, Jerry Rawlings, Hilla Limann, John Kufuor, John Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Who was the first president of Ghana?

Kwame Nkrumah was the first president of Ghana, in office 1960–1966.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of heads of state of Ghana; Archontology.org, Ghana: Heads of State; WorldAtlas (checked Nov 2026). A speaker who performed the president's functions for 24 days in August 1970 is not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Africa countries