State burial for Archer

The late Justice Philip Edward Neequaye Kwesi Archer, former Chief Justice and former member of Council of State would be given a state burial for his contribution to the public service. President John Agyekum Kufuor, who announced this said the late Justice Archer was skilled in the law and served with distinction in the public service and attained a respectful position as the Chancellor of the Anglican Church of Ghana.

President Kufuor said this on Monday when Mr Justice Edward Kwame Wiredu, the Chief Justice led a delegation of the Judicial Service and the family to officially inform the government about Justice Archer's death.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice described the late Justice Archer as a distinguished lawyer, eminent jurist and an incorruptible judge during his 30 years service in the Judiciary and this was a legacy worthy of emulation by members in the Judicial Service. He said the late Justice Archer also had compassion for mankind and as the 8th Chief Justice of Ghana after Independence and the first Chief Justice under the 1992 Constitution it was ideal he was honoured with a state burial.

Mr Justice Wiredu, who presented customary drinks of two bottles of schnapps on behalf of the delegation said the late Justice Archer was the first retired Chief Justice of Ghana to be given a state burial. Mr Samuel Archer a brother of the deceased said the family had decided to have the burial at the Osu cemetery on 22 June but there will be no wake keeping.

The late Justice Archer, 77, died on 10 May, this year after being hospitalised at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for about a month.He was survived by his wife, Sheba Elizabeth, five sons, two daughters and grand children. The late Justice Archer was the Chief Justice of Ghana from 1 April, 1991 to 22 February, 1995.

He joined the judiciary as a temporary clerical assistant in 1945 after working in the administration section of the judiciary. In 1948 he passed the Inter BSc (Economics) Parts II & I. He read law and graduated in 1953 with LL B after which he worked in England for a while. In 1956, he passed the Law Society's final examination and was called to the Bar in 1957. He returned to Ghana on the eve of Ghana's independence and was appointed Assistant Registrar General.

He was promoted Judicial Secretary in March 1964. In April 1964, he was promoted as a High Court Judge and later an Appeal Court Judge in October 1969.In September 1980, he was promoted to the Supreme Court. He went on voluntary retirement in September 1983, but was named the Chief Justice in 1991.