Raphael Nii Amaa Ollennu, born on May 21, 1906, in Labadi, Accra, was a distinguished Ghanaian jurist and judge with significant contributions to the legal, political, and academic spheres. Belonging to the Ga people, his early education included attendance at the Salem School at Osu and later, the Accra High School. Ollennu furthered his education at the Presbyterian Training College in Akropong, Ghana, studying pedagogy and theology.

In pursuit of legal studies, Ollennu traveled to England to study jurisprudence at the Middle Temple, London, and was called to the Bar in 1940, earning recognition from the Queen's Council. As the first person in his family to qualify as a lawyer, he registered as Raphael Nii Amaa Ollennu in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1940.

Ollennu's legal career flourished, starting as a puisne judge in 1955 and rising through the ranks to become a High Court judge. On September 1, 1962, he reached the pinnacle of his legal career by being elevated to a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Apart from his judicial duties, Ollennu was an authority on traditional African land-tenure systems, an Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Ghana, and actively engaged with the General Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

In the political arena, Ollennu played a crucial role as one of the Accra representatives in the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly during the early 1950s. He founded the National Democratic Party in 1950 and later led it into the Ghana Congress Party. Ollennu was in opposition to Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party.

During the Second Republic of Ghana, Ollennu served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana from October 1969 to January 1972. He also assumed the role of acting president from August 7, 1970, to August 31, 1970, as the chairman of the Presidential Commission.

In addition to his professional achievements, Ollennu was married four times and had a complex family life. He passed away in December 1986, leaving behind a legacy of legal expertise, political engagement, and contributions to Ghana's development.

Reference:

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