Chief Justice Acquah goes home

Chief Justice George Kingsley Acquah has been 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.

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.

In a tribute, President Kufuor urged Ghanaians not to let the demise of the Chief Justice diminish the commitment of the nation towards the reformation of the processes for the administration of justice.

He said the various reforms and initiative of Justice Acquah had not only transformed the judiciary, but had gone a long way in projecting the image of Ghana to the international community.

President Kufuor described the late CJ as a man committed to the rule of law and keenly conscious of the fact that "justice delayed is justice denied", saying his prime objectives were to ensure that justice became available to all Ghanaians.

He said it was for this reason that Justice Acquah spared no effort to ensure that the legal system was rid of the various archaic laws, complex court rules and administrative procedures, some of which predated the independence of Ghana.

"The High Court Rules which had been in force since 1954 and were deemed outdated were revised under his tenure," President Kufuor said.

He said Justice Acquah vigorously pursued the introduction and expansion in the administration of justice. "This, no doubt, was among the reasons why he expanded the automated fast track court system from its pilot phase in Accra to the regions."

President Kufuor said another impressive heritage that Justice Acquah had left for the country was the establishment of a Court of Appeal Complex in Kumasi.

This, he noted, would reduce the workload of the only Court of Appeal in Ghana, located in Accra.

"The construction of the Court of Appeal Complex in Kumasi, I am informed by the Regional Minister, was progressing fast because Justice Acquah had warned the contractors that he would not accept any delay.

"Justice Acquah's demise should not in any way diminish our commitment to this and many other laudable initiatives which were commenced during his rather brief but clearly impressive tenure of office."

Urging the Judiciary and the Judicial Service to continue with the achievements of the late CJ, President Kufuor said that would be the best tribute to the memory of Mr Justice Acquah.

Source: GNA