A. G. V. Paley


Alexander George Victor Paley was a British Army officer who became the first Chief of the Defence Staff of Ghana.

Army career

Paley served as commanding officer of the 3rd Libyan Arab Battalion between 1941 and 1942. He subsequently served in Iraq and Germany between 1942 and 1954. He also served as aide-de-camp to the Queen.

World War II

In October 1944, during the Second World War, Paley served as the commanding officer of the 22nd Armoured Brigade, while only holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was later one of the officers on the British delegation on the Allied Control Authority with the rank of brigadier.

Ghana Armed Forces

Paley served as the General Officer Commanding Ghana Armed Forces between 1957 and 1959, when his appointment covered only the army. He effectively became the Chief of Defence Staff when the Ghana Navy and Ghana Air Force were created. His tour of duty ended on 11 January 1960 when he was replaced by Major General Henry Alexander.