Entertainment of Wednesday, 11 April 2007

Source: GNA

Photo exhibition opens in memory of Justice Acquah

Accra, April 11, GNA-The Acting Chief Justice, Mr Justice Francis Y. Kpegah, on Wednesday opened a photo exhibition at the Supreme Court in Accra on the achievements of the late Chief Justice, Mr. Justice George Kingsley Acquah.

The public is also expected to sign a book of condolence until April 27 when the late Chief Justice would be buried. Due to the ill health of the Acting Chief Justice, Mr Justice W. Atugubah, a Supreme Court Judge, cut the tape on his behalf. Mr Justice Kpegah, described the late Chief Justice as a great reformer, who would always be remembered for the infrastructure development in the Judicial Service.

He said the event was to showcase Mr Justice Acquah's achievements throughout the country adding, 93He has done a lot for the Service."

In her welcoming address, Mrs Regina Apotsi, Judicial Secretary, said the exhibition was to portray the vision that the late Chief Justice had for the Judicial Service.

Justices of the Supreme Court, Ms Sophia Akuffo, Mr. S.A. Brobbey, Dr Seth Twum, Mr. Dartey Baah and Mrs. Sophia Adinyirah took turns to sign the book of condolence. Justices of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, Magistrate and Circuit Courts also took turns to append their signatures.

Mr. Justice Acquah, 65, died at the 37 Military Hospital early on March 25. Justice Acquah had been receiving treatment in India and the United States for the ailment.

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 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. Justice Acquah then gained admission to the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1964 where he obtained LL.B (Honours) in Law. In 1970 he entered the Ghana School of Law 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. He held national and international positions such as Patron of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, London. Justice Acquah left behind a wife and six children.