Military Beatings, Deflated Tyres: How UG students were treated during 1966 coup demo

What began as a demonstration by students of the University of Ghana during the turbulent aftermath of the 1966 coup reportedly turned into a frightening encounter with the military, with students allegedly subjected to beatings and other forms of intimidation.

The disturbing account offers a glimpse into the tense atmosphere that followed the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, on February 24, 1966.

Nkrumah was out of the country on a state visit to Vietnam and China when the military and police forces seized power and established the National Liberation Council (NLC).

UG Students Caught in the Turmoil

As Ghana grappled with the sudden change in government, students at the University of Ghana became part of the wider political and social upheaval surrounding the coup.

According to the account, the students who took part in a demonstration encountered a heavy military response, with some reportedly beaten during the confrontation.

The alleged treatment of the students highlights just how volatile the immediate post-coup environment was, despite the fact that the new military administration initially enjoyed considerable support from sections of the public, including elements within the university community.

Tyres Deflated as Tension Escalated

In an especially striking part of the account, vehicles connected to the students were reportedly targeted, with their tyres allegedly deflated.

The development reportedly left the students in a vulnerable position and added to the tension surrounding the demonstration.

The incident provides a stark reminder of the uncertainty and fear that accompanied the country’s transition from civilian rule to military government.

A Coup That Changed Ghana Forever

The February 1966 coup marked one of the most consequential turning points in Ghana’s political history.

The National Liberation Council, led by Lieutenant General Joseph Arthur Ankrah, took control after overthrowing Nkrumah’s government and remained in power until 1969.

While supporters of the coup presented it as a liberation from what they described as authoritarian and corrupt rule, the period that followed also exposed Ghanaians to the realities and tensions of military governance.

For the University of Ghana students caught up in the demonstration, the alleged beatings and deflated tyres reportedly became part of a much larger story of fear, resistance and uncertainty during one of the most dramatic moments in Ghana’s history.

Decades later, such recollections continue to shed light on the human experiences behind the political events of February 1966.