Peter Tasiri
Peter Tasiri Azongo | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council | |
| In office June 1979 – September 1979 | |
| President | Jerry Rawlings |
| Vice President | Major Boakye-Djan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1930 or 1931 |
| Died | (aged 95) Pusiga, Ghana |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Ghana Armed Forces |
| Branch/service | Ghana Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Fifth Infantry Battalion |
Peter Tasiri Azongo (1930 or 1931 – 15 February 2026) was a Ghanaian soldier and politician. He was a member of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) which ruled Ghana for a few months in 1979.
Career
Tasiri was with the Fifth Infantry Battalion at the time of the 4 June 1979 coup and became a member of the government.
4 June revolution and AFRC
Tasiri was reported to have been one of the key persons who initiated the action of 4 June 1979 which overthrew the Supreme Military Council (SMC) military government led by Lt. General Fred Akuffo. He was a member of the Free Africa Movement which was led by Major Boakye-Djan. They had been under suspicion and Baah Achamfuor whom they had recruited was actually arrested on 3 June 1979.[1][2]
He disclosed that he was in charge of discipline as a member of the AFRC. He stated that the destruction of the Makola Market during the AFRC rule was to help arrest indiscipline among the market women.[3]
Post AFRC
Tasiri was sent to the United States for studies by the Limann government after they handed over power in September 1979. While testifying before the National Reconciliation Commission in 2003, he reiterated a group apology offered by some of the members of the AFRC for atrocities committed during their rule. He stated that acts of indiscipline were due to the misuse of other ranks by officers. He also called on Jerry Rawlings to testify before the commission.[3]
Assault
Tasiri lived at Mandango in the Pusiga district near Bawku. Following a dispute with his brother Musah Tasiri, he was summoned to the palace of the Pusiga Naba (Chief of Pusiga) Akut Akwaka. He was assaulted when he attended and different reasons were given for the assault.[4]
Death
Tasiri died in Pusiga on 15 February 2026, at the age of 95.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Singh, Naunihal (2014). "6 Coups form the Bottom - Ghana, June 1979". Seizing power : the strategic logic of military coups. Baltimore, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press. pp. 162–170. ISBN 978-1421413365.
- ^ "Sergeant Tasiri was the sole organiser of June 4 revolt, not Rawlings – Kwesi Pratt explains". GhanaWeb. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Former AFRC member testifies at the NRC". GhanaWeb. 11 December 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Ex-AFRC Member Beaten... For Breaking Custom". Modern Ghana. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Key figure in June 4 uprising ex-Sergeant Peter Tasiri Azongo dies at 95". Modern Ghana. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.