Nana Addo loses mentor -As Ala Adjetey is laid to rest

"I have lost the guidance of a valued counselor. Our nation, our government and our party have lost the services of a Ghanaian patriot, a deeply committed democrat with an unshakeable belief in the rule of law, and a vigorous promoter of a regime of scrupulous respect for human rights in our body politic.'

These were the solemn words of the New Patriotic Party flagbeaerer for the 2008 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he read his tribute of the late former Speaker of Parliament, Peter Ala Adjetey, who was given a state burial  yesterday at a solemn ceremony that drew people from all walks of life together.

"Ghana is the poorer for his loss, but his legacy will continue to enrich our journey of development in freedom.'

Among the dignitaries were the President, John Agyekum Kufuor, the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former President Jerry John Rawlings, John Evans Atta Mills, NDC flagbearer, Members of the Council of State,. Members of Parliament, Ministers of State,   traditional rulers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and a host of others.

'Ghana is the poorer for his loss, but his legacy will continue to enrich our journey of development in freedom.'

Among the dignitaries were the President, John Agyekum Kufour, the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former President Jerry John Rawlings, John Evans Atta Mills, NDC flagbearer, Members of the Council of Stat,. Members of Parliament, Ministers of State,   traditional rulers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and a host of others.

Also present were representatives from the West African Bar Association and a number of recognized organizations in the country, the sub-region and Africa as a whole. 

 Nana Addo said Ala Adjetey's joy on that occasion when he (Nana) was elected flagbeaer was evident for all to see because even in his advanced age, he followed him all the way through a long walkabout at Makola Market, 'holding my waist to ensure that I never faltered.'

According to Nana Addo,  Mr Adjetey was meticulous and had thorough familiarity with the relevant cases - law; and strong, authoritative advocacy in his unforgettable voice. 'It was a treat to hear him make his argument, so careful and coherent. A judge always knew that he had to eat his best to overrule or reject any argument ', he added.

'In the initial period of the Fourth Republic, I had the privilege of working with him on a series of constitutional cases sponsored by the party before the Supreme Court, which came to have great resonance in our progress under constitutional government', the NPP Presidential candidate recalled.

He said Peter's courage as national president of the Bar led to the institution of that important event on the annual national calendar - the Martyrs' Day Memorial - when the judges, who were murdered in cold blood by agents of the PNDC in the line of duty on June 30, 1982, are commemorated as a result of those deeds of infamy'.

'For his leadership in that decision, he paid with political detention by the PNDC, together with his National Secretary, Nutifafa Kuenyehia. The nation owes both of them a great dept of gratitude for their courage and principle', he opined.

Preaching the sermon, Right Reverend J K Dadson of the Anglican Church stated that 'Peter Ala Adjetey lived for peace and was loved across the political divide, and that must be emulated by all of us,'. 'The fact that you do not belong to the same political party does not make you enemies', he further added.

Peter Ala Adjetey was born on August 11 1931 in Accra, the capital of Ghana. He obtained his basic education at St. Paul's School, La, a suburb of Accra and the Accra Bishop Boys' School. His secondary education was at Accra Academy.

He proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana), where he obtained the University of London Intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Nottingham in 1958.

Mr. Adjetey was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959. He returned to Ghana in the same year and was also called to the bar

From 1959 to 1962, Mr.Ala Adjetey worked as a Law Officer with the Attorney Generals' department. He was a part-time lecturer at the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, between 1960 and 1962.

He was also a part-time lecturer at the Ghana Law School between 1964 and 1968. He served on numerous boards at various times including membership of the Judicial Council of Ghana from 1984 to 1989. He was the President of the Ghana Bar Association between 1985 and 1989.

Peter Ala Adjetey was the Member of Parliament for Kpeshie in the Third Republic of Ghana. He was the leader of the United National Convention Parliamentary group during the same period. In 1995, he became Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, a position he held until 1998. He was appointed the President of the African Bar Association in 2000

Peter Ala Adjetey died July 15, 2008 after a short illness. He was survived by a wife and 10 childern.