The events that led to the overthrow of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, involved many issues of loyalty and deception.
In terms of loyalty, Major General Charles Mohammed Balwa is one of those figures who has been celebrated over the decades for his stance amid the political turmoil of the time and the bravery he displayed in the face of death.
According to details of an excerpt written about him in 2019 by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he trained, Major General Baruwa was the highest ranking officer in the Ghana Armed Forces when the mutiny led by Colonel Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka broke out in February 1966.
At that time, the Chief of Defence Staff was also out of his jurisdiction so the Chief of Army Staff, General Balwa, became the next in command and when the coup took place, Balwa refused to give in or submit.
A statement from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst said he was shot dead at the scene.
“In February 1966, Nkrumah was urged by the United States to travel to China and Vietnam to broker a ceasefire in the Vietnam War. A group of senior officers rounded up several hundred soldiers, moved them to Accra and told them that Nkrumah intended to send them to fight in Vietnam. With the support of these men, plotters led by Colonel Emmanuel Kokota seized national radio and the presidential palace.
“As the Chief of Defence Staff was abroad for a meeting, the highest-ranking officer was then Major General Balwa, Chief of Army Staff. Balwa did not recognise the coup and professed his loyalty to the Head of State as a professional soldier, but he was shot dead on the spot,” the report said.
Today, in honour of his achievements, Tamale Barracks is named after him as “Barwa Barracks”.
Read the full extract from the Royal Military Academy on Major General Barwa below:
Charles Mohammed Baruwa was born in Kumasi, Gold Coast, British colony of West Africa, on 13 April 1929. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Gold Coast Regiment in 1947 and had been promoted to sergeant by 1953.
He was the first native cadet to be sent to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after the war. Serving with No. 2 Platoon, Blenheim Company, of the 13th Enlistment, he was described by the academy’s commanding officer as “his powerful physique accentuating his strong character.” As well as winning the Overseas Cadet Award, Barwa was ranked fourth out of 260 enlistees.
Balewa rose through the ranks quickly and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the newly established Ghana Armed Forces when the Gold Coast became the first British colony to gain independence in 1957. A believer in education, Balewa set up educational programs for soldiers and their children, often teaching night classes…
In February 1966, Nkrumah was urged by the United States to go to China and Vietnam to broker a ceasefire in the Vietnam War. A group of senior officers rounded up several hundred soldiers, moved them to Accra, and told them that Nkrumah intended to send them to the Vietnam War. With the support of these men, plotters led by Colonel Emmanuel Kokota seized state radio and the presidential palace.
As the Chief of Defence Staff was abroad for a conference, the highest ranking officer was Major General Barwa, then Chief of Army Staff, who refused to recognise the coup and professed his loyalty to the Head of State as a career soldier, but was shot dead on the spot.
The extent of the CIA’s involvement remains a matter of debate and a staple topic for conspiracy theorists. Ultimately, the coup was successful and Nkrumah was deposed, but a period of great instability followed, with five more military coups over the next 15 years. Charles Barwa is now considered a symbol of loyalty and is one of the few senior officers from that time untainted by political involvement. The Barwa Barracks in northern Ghana is named after him.
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