Peter Ala Adjetey was a Ghanaian lawyer, politician and statesman, who served as president of the Ghana Bar Association from 1985 to 1989, chaired the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 1995 to 1998 and later became Speaker of Parliament in January 2001, a position he held until January 2005.

Adjetey, who chaired the NPP from 1995 to 1998, built a career in law, party politics and public service before becoming Speaker following the party’s victory in the 2000 general election.

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Born in La, Accra, on August 11, 1931, Adjetey attended the St Paul’s School in La and Accra Bishop Boys’ School before proceeding to Accra Academy, where he completed his secondary education in 1951.

He later attended the University College of the Gold Coast, now the University of Ghana, before travelling to the United Kingdom to study law at the University of Nottingham. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959 and returned to Ghana to begin his legal career.

Adjetey initially worked as a law officer at the Attorney General’s Department before establishing himself in the legal profession.

His contribution to the sector saw him rise to become president of the Ghana Bar Association from 1985 to 1989. In 2000, he also became president of the African Bar Association.

His entry into frontline politics came in 1979 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Kpeshie.

He served in Parliament until 1981 and led the parliamentary group of the United National Convention during that period.

Adjetey later became national chairman of the NPP in 1995, serving in the position until 1998. His tenure came during a significant period in the party’s development under Ghana’s emerging Fourth Republic.

The NPP won the 2000 general election, bringing John Agyekum Kufuor to the presidency. On January 7, 2001, Adjetey assumed office as Speaker of Parliament, becoming one of the key figures in the country’s legislative leadership.

In recognition of his contributions to public service, Adjetey received a national honour in 2008. The University of Ghana also conferred an honorary doctorate on him that year.

Adjetey died on July 15, 2008, at the age of 76.

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