In a recent interview with Joy News, Corporal Matthew Adabuga, a retired officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, provided significant insights into the overthrow of President Dr. Hilla Limann’s government, attributing financial support from Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to the coup led by Jerry John Rawlings.
Adabuga recounted how Rawlings, disillusioned after he and several military officers were retired by the Limann government, began plotting to overthrow President Limann. Despite intelligence reports warning of Rawlings’ intentions, President Limann reportedly took no decisive action, merely transferring the officer who provided the information about Rawlings’ plans.
According to Adabuga, Rawlings initially downplayed his involvement in the coup, giving him 21 old cedis after an encounter at Achimota Forest. Rawlings purportedly claimed the money was from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Tema for purchasing equipment. However, Adabuga later learned that Gaddafi had actually provided $1 million to support the coup, with some funds allegedly used to purchase a fishing trawler for Rawlings’ mother.
The interview also revealed that subsequent to the overthrow of President Limann’s government, there were multiple attempts to stage coups against Rawlings, further highlighting the turbulent period in Ghana’s history during that time.
