the Military Cross in Leopoldville for acts of unsurpassed gallantry in Congo in 1961. The citation read: With great common sense, maturity and tact, this officer handled a delicate situation which otherwise would have created grave consequences in Leopoldville and many parts of the Congo. Colonel Ankrah, with complete disregard for his own life, disarmed an Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC) soldier who, with a loaded sten machine carbine, attempted to shoot Mr. Lumumba. He carried the Prime Minister to safety in a vehicle which was fired on by ANC ambushers. Had it not been for the quick and bold action of Colonel Ankrah at the risk of his life, Mr. Lumumba's life would have been taken with untold consequences at that time. After his experience in the Congo, he was promoted Brigadier then Major General becoming the first Ghanaian commander of the Ghana army in 1961 and then Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. He was dismissed from the Ghana army in July 1965 on suspicion of involvement in a coup plot. Politics Ankrah became the head of the National Investment Bank after leaving the army. However, he became the Head of state and Chairman of the National Liberation Council after the 24 February 1966 coup. In January 1967, he mediated between the warring factions of the Nigerian Civil War in Biafra. He was forced to resign as Chairman of the NLC and Head of State over a bribery scandal involving a Nigerian businessman. Sports Ankrah served as the first ever President of the Council of Patrons of Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. and steered the football club for a long period. Family In 1965 he married his third wife, Mildred Christina Akosiwor Fugar (12 June 1938 – 9 June 2005), in Accra. His son also went to Accra Academy. He had a daughter called Jackie Ankrah who is a broadcaster, songwriter and musician. He had several wives and 18 children. See also National Liberation Council References External links Ghana-pedia webpage - Lieutenant-General Joseph A. Ankrah Ghana-pedia webpage - Operation Cold Chop: The Fall Of Kwame Nkrumah 1915 births 1992 deaths Chairpersons of the African Union Ghanaian soldiers Leaders who took power by coup Heads of state of Ghana Foreign ministers of Ghana Defence ministers of Ghana British colonial army soldiers Alumni of the Accra Academy People from Accra Ga-Adangbe people Royal West African Frontier Force officers People of the Nigerian