William Bedford Van Lare
William Bedford Van Lare was a Ghanaian jurist and diplomat; he was justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana in the first republic and Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada in the NLC regime.
Justice William Bedford Van Lare | |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court Judge | |
| In office 1963–1964 | |
| Appointed by | Dr. Kwame Nkrumah |
| Ghana High Commissioner to Canada | |
| In office 1966–1969 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Bedford Van Lare 7 September 1904 Kpong, Volta Region, Gold Coast |
| Died | 3 September 1969 (aged 64) Accra |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Spouse(s) | Mrs. Alice van Lare |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Occupation | Judge |
Early life and education
William was born in 1904 at Kpong in the Volta Region to William Ludwig Van Lare, Esq. (A merchant) and Wilhemina Fiawonu Van Lare (née Amegashie) both of Keta. He had his early education at Bremen Mission School, Keta and his secondary education at Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast. He obtained his bachelor of Laws degree from the University College, London a constituent college of the University of London and continued his studies at Lincoln's Inn, London for his Barrister-at-Law certificate.[1][2][3]
Career
He taught at Mfantsipim School and Government schools in Accra and Obo before his law studies abroad. He was called to the bar in 1937 and worked in chambers with his friend Kofi Adumua Bossman who also became a Supreme Court Judge. In 1943, he was appointed magistrate, working in Cape Coast, Accra and Kumasi. He acted as Chief Registrar of the West African Court of Appeal in 1948 and 1950. In 1952, he was puisne judge in the superior bench and in 1957 he became an Appeal Court Judge[4] and Supreme Judge that same year. He resigned in 1963 when the Supreme Court acquitted Tawia Adamafio and others on treason charges in December 1963.[5] He was a foundation fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1959 he served as treasurer for the academy.[6]
In 1966 he was appointed Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada by the NLC government.[7][8][9][1][2][3]
Honours
The title of Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) was conferred upon him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[4][9]
He was honoured by the Government of Lebanon with the title; Commander of the National Order of the Cedar. In 1967 he was given the Grand Medal of Ghana by the Ghana government.[1][2][3]
Family
He is the grandson of Charles Leone Van Lare, Esq., of Accra and the great grandson of Mantse Nii Akrashie I of James Town, Accra. He was married to Mrs. Alice Van Lare, together they had four children.[1][2]
Death
He died on 3 September 1969 in Accra after a short illness. He was given a state burial with full honours by the order of the then government; the National Liberation Council.[2][3]
References
- "Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Sciences, Volumes 5–8". Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Sciences. Secretariat of the Ghana Academy of Sciences: 58. 1967.
- "Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Sciences, Volumes 13". Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Sciences. Secretariat of the Ghana Academy of Sciences: 3 and 4. 1977.
- "West Africa, Issues 2718–2743". West Africa. Afrimedia International: 1098. 1969.
- "Law Times, and Journal of Property, Volume 229". Law Times, and Journal of Property. Office of The Law times, London: 358. 1960.
- Gocking, Roger (2005). The History of Ghana. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 136. ISBN 9780313318948.
van lare supreme court.
- Obeng, L. E. (2009). The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences: A Historical Perspective. p. 24 and 116. ISBN 9789964969226.
- "The Commonwealth Office Year Book". The Commonwealth Office Year Book. London : H.M.S.O.: 217 1968.
- Ofori, Henry (1969-03-31). "ANKRAH SENDS CONDOLENCE MESSAGE TO NIXON". Daily Graphic. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- Paxton, John; Steinberg, S. H. (1974). The Statesman's Year-Book 1969–70: The one-volume Encyclopaedia of all nations. p. 407. ISBN 9780230270985.