Dr. Hilla Limann

In 1949, Limann finished his basic school education at the Government Middle School, Tamale. Between 1957 and 1960, he pursued political science at the London School of Economics. Following that, he earned a diploma in French from Sorbonne University, France. Additionally, Limann obtained a BA (Hons) degree in history at the University of London and a Ph.D. in political science and Constitutional Law at the University of Paris.

Dr. Limann served as the head of the Europe Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana from 1965 to 1968, later becoming the head of Chancery/Official Secretary at the Ghana embassy in Lomé, Togo, in 1968. He played a key role in the Constitution Commission in 1967, drafting the 1969 Constitution of Ghana, and went on to be appointed counselor at Ghana's Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1971. Returning to Ghana, he assumed the position of head of the Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 1975.

In the aftermath of the 1979 coup led by Jerry Rawlings in Ghana, Dr. Hilla Limann secured the presidency on the People’s National Party ticket. Enjoying significant backing from followers of the late Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, Limann entered the electoral arena after Alhaji Imoru Egala’s disqualification by the ruling Supreme Military Council. In the second round of voting, Limann triumphed with an impressive 62% of the popular vote, officially assuming the presidency on September 24, 1979.

In 1981, Hilla Limann received the Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George from Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom. Additionally, during the same year, he was honored with the Order of the Yugoslav Great Star.”

During his presidency, Dr. Limann distinguished himself as an economic moderate who ardently supported democratic principles and Pan-Africanism. However, his tenure was abruptly cut short on December 31, 1981, when Rawlings orchestrated another coup, removing Limann from power. This marked the end of the third republic of Ghana, making Limann the sole president of that era.

Undeterred by his ousting, Dr. Limann re-entered the political arena in 1992, following the conclusion of the PNDC military rule that had toppled him. This time, he contested the presidential election as the candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), a party he had founded. Despite his efforts, he secured only 6.7% of the popular vote, landing in third place. Nevertheless, he remained actively engaged in the Nkrumahist political movement in Ghana.

Established on the 40th anniversary of his presidency in September 2019, the Hilla Limann Foundation is a charity dedicated to ending human rights abuse through education, advocating for human development among the poor and vulnerable, fostering enlightenment about true democracy, and promoting awareness of human rights.