A civilian rule is a system of government where power is held by elected representatives, operating under a constitution and the rule of law. A military rule, on the other hand, is a form of g

Here are the answers to your questions:

1. A civilian rule is a system of government where power is held by elected representatives, operating under a constitution and the rule of law. A military rule, on the other hand, is a form of government where the armed forces seize control, often through a coup d'état, suspending the constitution and civil liberties.

2. Ghana experienced five successful military takeovers from 1957 to date. These occurred in 1966, 1972, 1978, 1979, and 1981.

   $$\boxed{\text{5 military takeovers}}$$

3. The coup makers of the first military takeover (1966) cited reasons such as economic mismanagement, corruption, authoritarianism, and the abuse of power by the Nkrumah government.

4. The first coup makers, the National Liberation Council (NLC), ruled Ghana for approximately 3 years. They took power in February 1966 and handed over to a civilian government in September 1969.

   $$\boxed{\text{3 years}}$$

5. The leader of the coup makers of the first military takeover in 1966 was Lieutenant General Joseph Arthur Ankrah, who served as the Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC).

   $$\boxed{\text{Lieutenant General Joseph Arthur Ankrah}}$$