Chief justice George Kingsley Acquah laid to rest

Accra, April 27, GNA - Chief Justice George Kingsley Acquah was on Friday laid to rest at the Osu cemetery in Accra shortly after a solemn state burial Service held in his honour at the forecourt of the State House in Accra

The service was not with the usual wailing and shouting, but that of a dexterity and calmness as the Police band and the Anglican mass choir dished out dirges for the occasion.

Lying in a beige casket draped in the national colours, the tone was set for the service, which was led by Arch Bishop Dr. Justice Ofei Akrofie of the Church of the Province of West Africa and other leaders of the orthodox churches.

It was attended by President Kufuor and his wife Theresa, Vice President Aliu Mahama, Speaker of Parliaments and members of parliament, Members of the council of States, Ministers of states, the judiciary, Professor Atta Mills, Flag bearer of the National Democratic party, representatives of political Parties and members of the diplomatic Corp. It also attracted a large gathering of sympathisers and other mourners who thronged the forecourt and filed past the body to pay their last respect to a man who has paid his due to his country. Judges of the superior court were adorned in their gowns and wigs while well-wishers spotted black and red apparels.

The police and military were present to maintain law and order. Born in Sekondi in the Western Region on March 6, 1942, Justice Acquah attended the Adisadel College, Cape Coast, from 1957 to 1963, where he obtained both the Ordinary and Advanced level Certificates of the West African Examinations Council.

Justice Acquah gained admission to the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1964 where he obtained an LL.B (Honours). In 1970 he entered the Ghana Law School where he obtained the professional certificate in Law. He was called to the Bar in 1972.

His employment record includes private legal practitioner from 1972 to 1989, High Court Judge from 1989 to 1994, Appeal Court Judge from 1994 to 1995 and Supreme Court Judge from 1995 to date.

Justice Acquah, who was appointed Chief Justice on June 20, 2003, would be remembered for attempting to reconcile Ghana's traditional methods adjudication with the colonial ones.

He held national and international positions such as the Patron of the Commonwealth legal Education Association, London. Justice Acquah left behind a wife and six children.