Accra, April 26, GNA - The Judiciary on Thursday received the mortal remains of the late Chief Justice George Kingsley Acquah at the Supreme Court. The military brought the body of the late Chief Justice to the Supreme Court buildings and handed it over to the Acting Chief Justice, Mr Justice Francis Y. Kpegah.

Justices of the Supreme Court, high and lower courts, members of the General Legal Council, the Judicial Council, Ministers of State, members of the Ghana Bar Association, staff of the Judicial Service filed past the body.

Members dressed in red and black dresses could not hide their tears while the solemn songs were sung. Mr Justice Kpegah described the late Chief Justice as a dynamic, pro-active, a perfect judge, saying a great tree had fallen and the country had lost an illustrious son. According to him the death of the CJ had stalled activities of the courts.

The Very Reverend Emmanuel Addo, who officiated the pre-burial service, prayed for the soul of the late Chief Justice. Mr Justice Kusi Appiah, Chairman of Funeral Committee, said news about the CJ's death came as a shock to the entire Judicial Service. Mr Justice Acquah died on August 25 at the 37th Military Hospital aged 65.

He was born in Sekondi in the Western Region on March 6, 1942. He 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 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 as Chief Justice in June 20, 2003, would be remembered for attempting to reconcile Ghana's traditional adjudication laws with the imposed colonial ones. He held national and international positions such as Patron, Commonwealth legal Education Association, London. Justice Acquah left behind a wife and six children.