Edmund Alexander Lanquaye Bannerman JSC

Edmund Alexander Lanquaye Bannerman JSC, born on July 22, 1915, in Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana), was the Chief Justice of Ghana from 1970 to 1972, making him the fourth person to hold this position since Ghana's independence in 1957. His father, Emmanuel Edmund Bannerman, was an organist and choirmaster of the Wesley Methodist Church in Accra. Bannerman attended Mfantsipim School, where he served as Senior Prefect in 1933.

He pursued higher education at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, England, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, London, in 1939. Subsequently, he commenced private practice in Ghana. Bannerman's legal career saw various roles, including senior lecturer at the Ghana School of Law from 1960 to 1964, visiting lecturer at the University of Ghana from 1961 to 1963, and serving as a High Court judge in Tanzania from 1964 to 1967. He also held positions as the legal adviser to Ghana Police and Ghana Airways from 1967 to 1970.

In 1970, Bannerman was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana and later became the acting Chief Justice from 1970 to 1971 before being officially appointed as Chief Justice in 1971. However, his tenure was abruptly ended when he was removed from office by the National Redemption Council, the military government that came into power after the coup of January 13, 1972, which marked the end of the Second Republic of Ghana.

Bannerman passed away in Accra on June 27, 1983, at the age of 67. His legacy encompasses his significant contributions to the legal field in Ghana, including his service as Chief Justice and his various roles as a legal educator, judge, and adviser.

REFERENCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Alexander_Lanquaye_Bannerman