The impact of political instability on the economic development policies of Ghana (1960-1980) and its implications for sub-Saharan Africa, 1991

In 1957, Ghana became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to obtain independence from European colonial rule. Since then, the entire region has been liberated from the vestiges of colonial ism. However, after nearly three decades of self-rule, the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa remain virtually underdeveloped. Several major factors account for Sub-Saharan Africa's relative underdeveloped state. One such major factor is political instability exacerbated by the incidence of military coups d'etat . This study, therefore, examines the causes of coups d'etat in Sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of military rule on the economic development policies in the region between two 'development decades�: 1960-1980. The hypo thesis of this study is that political instability, as caused by military coups d'etat, has negatively affected the economic development policies of Sub-Saharan African countries. For an in-depth analysis of the problem. Ghana was selected for a case study primarily because of its historic role in the African its former role as a pace-setter for African development; and its leading role in the quest for a united Africa. The study, using the descriptive approach . combines both the ideas in economics and political science to shed light on the complex interrelationship between political instability and economic development. It was observed, in the case of Ghana . that the abrupt and unorthodox removal from office of constitutionally-elected governments, and the installation of naive military juntas in their place, have led to discontinuity of economic development policies as we I 1 as the abandonment of economic development plans to the detriment of the country. Based on Ghana's experience, the study draws parallel examples across Sub-Saharan Africa. The study provides a ten-point r ec omme nd ation for eradicating military rule in Sub-Saharan Africa and for tackling the problems of economic decadence of the region. Recommendations for future research are made in the light of the future role of a reformed Republic of South Africa in the Sub -Saha ran African economic development in the 21 Century