SIR KOBINA ARKU KORSAH

Sir Kobina Arku Korsah JSC was a distinguished Ghanaian judge and legal scholar who served as the first Chief Justice of Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, from 1956. He was born on April 3, 1894, in Saltpond and received his education at Mfantsipim School, Fourah Bay College (earning a BA degree in 1915), Durham University, and London University, where he earned an LLB degree in 1919.

Korsah's career in law and politics was marked by significant achievements. He won the Cape Coast seat in the 1927 Gold Coast general election, representing one of the nine Africans in the Legislative Assembly at the time. He was re-elected to the same seat in the 1931 and 1935 general elections, demonstrating his strong commitment to public service and the interests of his constituents.

In 1942, Korsah, along with Nana Sir Ofori Atta, made history as one of the first two Ghanaians appointed to the Executive Council of the Legislative Council by Sir Alan Burns, the Governor of the Gold Coast. Korsah's expertise and leadership extended beyond politics, as he was one of the 20 founding members of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1959.

One of the pivotal moments in Korsah's career occurred after the Kulungugu attack on President Kwame Nkrumah in August 1962. He presided over the trial of five defendants involved in the attack. His decision to find three of the accused not guilty displeased the Nkrumah government and led to Korsah's dismissal as Chief Justice in December 1963, a move that was later considered unconstitutional.

Korsah's personal life was also noteworthy. He was married to Kate Ethel Amanuah Bannerman-Hyde, and together they had five children: Diana (born in 1924), Evangeline Mabel (1926-2013), Roger Kweku Andoh (1927-2017), Annie Barbara Gyaanuah (born in 1931), and Kate Ethel Esi Amanuah (1935-2013). His only son, Roger, followed in his father's footsteps and became a high court judge in Ghana. Roger later moved to Zimbabwe, where he served as a judge on the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe until his death in February 2017.

Sir Kobina Arku Korsah's legacy as a pioneering legal figure in Ghana is remembered for his contributions to the judiciary and his steadfast commitment to justice and public service. He passed away on January 25, 1967.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobina_Arku_Korsah