SHS2 History · Semester 2 Week 13: Socio-Economic and Political Developments in Ghana (1957

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.4.1.LI.4 - Analyse the processes leading to the birth of the Fourth Republic.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Explain the reasons for the overthrow of the People’s National Party (PNP) government on 31st December 1981, drawing on evidence from the economic and political conditions of the time.
Describe the composition, aims and objectives of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime when it came into office in 1982.
Trace the key institutional steps (National Commission on Democracy, District Assembly elections, Committee of Experts, Consultative Assembly, INEC, and the 1992 Referendum) that led to the drafting and approval of the 1992 Constitution.
Analyse why Ghana transited from military rule to the Fourth Republic, weighing both internal pressures and the regime’s own calculations.
Evaluate the achievements and shortcomings of the PNDC regime (1981 - 1993) using diverse historical evidence, while showing respect for differing political views.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Independence and Post-colonial Developments (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Socio-Economic and Political Developments in Ghana (1957 - 2007) (4.1)
Content standard: 2.4.1.CS.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the socio-economic and political developments in Ghana from 1957 - 2007 2.4.1.LO.1 Use diverse historical evidence to compare similarities and differences of the Socio- Economic and Political Developments across the different regimes and governments in Ghana (1957 - 2007)
Indicator: 2.4.1.LI.4 - Analyse the processes leading to the birth of the Fourth Republic.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 13 (Week 33 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 92

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Enquiry Routes: Why did Jerry John Rawlings overthrow the People's National Party (PNP) government? When did the PNDC come into office and how did the regime usher Ghana into the Fourth Republic? Why did Ghana transit from military rule into the Fourth Republic?
Experiential Learning: Learners watch videos on the overthrow of the Limann Government on 31st December 1981 and the inception of the regime of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
Project-Based Learning:
- In small groups, learners create picture-galleries of members of the PNDC government.
- Learners create posters to establish a linkage between the aims/objectives of the PNDC and their socio-economic and political developments in Ghana from 1981 - 1993.
Enquiry-Based Learning:
- Using primary and secondary sources, learners analyse the achievements and shortcomings of the PNDC regime.
- Using diverse historical sources including newspapers, archives, and the internet, learners trace major events that ushered Ghana into the Fourth Republic.
Collaborative Learning:
- In pairs, learners assess the role of the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) commissioned by the PNDC government.
- Learners re-enact the organisation of the District Assembly Elections in 1988/89 and its impact on the political landscape of Ghana.
- In a Jigsaw activity, learners analyse the role played by the Committee of Experts, the Consultative Assembly, and the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC) towards the drawing of the 1992 Constitution and the organisation of General elections.
Cooperative Learning: In a jigsaw activity, learners discuss the outcome of the 1992 Referendum, Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Contextual photographs of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Governor Lord Listowel, Queen Elizabeth II, cabinet ministers of Ghana from 1957 - 1960.
- A chart showing the positions held by Ghanaians and British officials
- Textbooks
- Newspaper articles/opinion papers, etc.
- Internet Access
- Computer/ laptop/mobile phone, speaker-out devices.
- Stationery
- Photographs of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and cabinet Ministers of Ghana from 1957 - 1969.
- A chart showing the list of achievements under the CPP government (1957 - 1966) and the NLC regime (1966 - 1969)
- Secondary Sources (Textbooks, newspaper articles/opinion papers, etc.)
- Documentaries on infrastructural developments under the CPP and the NLC.
- Video on reasons for the overthrow of Nkrumah.
- Tape/audio recorder
- Photographs of presidents/ vice presidents who have ruled Ghana from 1993 - 2007.
Assessment (2.4.1.AS.4). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 3 Strategic reasoning.