Archibald Casely-Hayford

1898–1977

A leading lawyer and politician, Archibald Casely-Hayford played a significant role in the campaign for Ghana’s independence.  

Casely-Hayford came from a prominent Ghanaian family. His father, J.E. Casely-Hayford, was an author, lawyer, educator, and a prominent supporter of pan-African nationalism. Archibald matriculated at Clare College in 1918, where he studied for an MA in Law and Economics. Alongside his studies, he was involved in extracurricular life as Vice-President of the Cambridge International Fellowship. 

Returning to Accra after graduation, Casely-Hayford practised as a lawyer, becoming a senior district magistrate by 1948. Having joined the Convention People’s Party (CPP), he represented several of its anti-colonial leaders, including future Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah, defending them before the 1951 elections. Casely-Hayford subsequently served as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Communications, and Minister of State. In 1957, his work with the CPP came to fruition: at midnight on 6 March, with Casely-Hayford at his side, Nkrumah declared Ghana independent.  

Later in his career, Casely-Hayford served in many distinguished roles. These included Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Chairman of the National Honours and Awards Committee, and Chairman of the Ghana Legion. An esteemed public figure, Casely-Hayford was honoured with the Grand Medal in Ghana and the Queen’s Coronation Medal.