THE President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, yesterday decorated a former Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Philip Edward Archer, with the State Honour of Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (OSG), Civil Division at the residence of the ex-Chief Justice at East Cantonments in Accra.
Mr. Justice Archer who was on the honours list for the 42nd Independence anniversary could not go for his award due to health reasons.
A citation accompanying the award said Mr. Justice Archer, a member of the Council of State was born in Abontiakrom, Tarkwa in the Western Region on February 22, 1925.
Mr. Justice Archer, according to the citation, had his education at St Peter’s School in Sekondi and Adisadel College, Cape Coast, before proceeding to study law at the University of Nottingham in 1953.
Mr. Justice Archer was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Jurisdiction (England) in 1957.
The citation said the former Chief Justice returned to Ghana in 1957 and joined the office of the Registrar-General in the same year and was appointed Registrar-General in 1959 and Judicial Secretary in 1961.
It noted that Mr. Justice Archer’s brilliant performance earned him his appointment to the Bench in 1964 as a High Court Judge, rising to the Supreme Court in 1980.
Mr. Justice Archer served on a number of disciplinary committees to cleanse the public service of corrupt officials. He chaired a committee which examined the operations of the Ghana Police Service.
In 1983, Mr. Justice Archer retired from the judicial service after a distinguished career on the bench.
The citation said, on account of his rich experience, he was appointed full time chairman of the Law Reform Commission in 1983 and was later appointed Chief Justice in 1991, a position he held until 1995.
Mr. Justice Archer was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Council from 1979-1983 and a Member of the Council of State in 1995.
It was in recognition of distinguish service that the eminent judge was recognised by the state.
Presenting the award, the President said the many years of dedicated service offered by Mr. Archer has been recognised by the entire citizenry.
The honour is an acknowledgement of the fact that the Council of State member has held on to the principles that helped the nation sow the seed of stability.
President Rawlings said Mr. Justice Archer represents a rare role model and stated that dedicated service to society pays, adding that “the life and service of Mr. Justice Archer cannot be paid for in terms of money.
Two members of the Council of State who present at the ceremony, Mr. Harry Sawyer and Kurotwiamansa Agyei Ampofo, congratulated Mr. Justice Archer and commended his contribution to the councils deliberations.
Mr. Justice Archer said the honour was a tribute to his wife, children and entire family as well as the schools he attended.
He said he was proud of the unprecedented Presidential visit to his residence.
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