Dr. Hilla Limann was born on December 12, 1934, in Gwolu, a town in the Upper West Region of Ghana. He was a Ghanaian diplomat and politician who became the President of Ghana's Third Republic. His presidency, which began on September 24, 1979, marked a significant period in Ghana's history, although it was cut short by a military coup.

Limann's early education took place in his hometown, after which he attended the Government Middle School in Tamale. He later enrolled at the Tamale Teacher Training College. Demonstrating a passion for education, he pursued further studies abroad, earning a diploma in French from the University of London. He also obtained a Bachelor's degree in History from the Sorbonne in Paris and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Paris.

Before entering into politics, Limann had a notable career as a diplomat. He served as the Head of Chancery at Ghana's embassy in Lomé, Togo, and later became a Counselor at Ghana's Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. His expertise in international relations and diplomacy was well recognized, making him a respected figure in Ghana's foreign service.

In 1979, Ghana was transitioning back to civilian rule after years of military governance. The People's National Party (PNP) chose Limann as its presidential candidate for the upcoming elections. Although relatively unknown in the political arena, Limann's calm demeanor and intellectual background appealed to many Ghanaians who were eager for a change. In the general election held in June 1979, Limann emerged victorious, defeating his main rival, Victor Owusu, of the Popular Front Party (PFP).

Limann's presidency was characterized by efforts to stabilize the Ghanaian economy, which was in dire straits due to years of mismanagement and corruption under previous regimes. His government implemented policies aimed at reducing inflation and encouraging foreign investment. However, Limann faced significant challenges, including internal party conflicts, a lack of support from the military, and growing public discontent over the slow pace of economic recovery.

On December 31, 1981, Limann's government was overthrown in a coup led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, who had previously handed over power to Limann after a brief period of military rule. Limann's ousting marked the end of the Third Republic, and Ghana returned to military rule under Rawlings.

After the coup, Limann largely withdrew from public life, although he remained a vocal critic of the Rawlings regime. He attempted a political comeback in the 1992 general elections, running as the presidential candidate for the People's National Convention (PNC), but he was unsuccessful.

Dr. Hilla Limann passed away on January 23, 1998, at the age of 63. Despite the brevity of his presidency, Limann is remembered as a leader who sought to bring stability and democratic governance to Ghana during a tumultuous period in the country's history.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilla_Limann