In 1940 he obtained a diploma at the London Chamber of Commerce and Sloan's Shorthand Certificate of Proficiency in 1942. He also obtained a diploma in commerce and industry from London School of Economics in 1956. From 1944 to 1958 MR Lartey worked with the then United Africa Company (UAC) where he rose to Senior Management Status and was posted to the Headquarters at Unilever House, London.