John Willie Kofi Harlley


John Willie Kofi Harlley was a Ghanaian senior police officer and politician. Harlley was a former foreign minister of Ghana. He was a member of the Presidential Commission that ruled Ghana during the military era of the National Liberation Council and the first year of the Second Republic. He was the first Inspector General of Police in Ghana.

Early years and education

He was born at Akagla in the Volta Region which was then administered by the French and English. He attended Presbyterian Schools at Boso and Akropong. He completed his elementary school education at Anloga Presbyterian School in 1936 and later enrolled into the Accra Academy where he had his secondary education from 1936 to 1939.

Career

He was an interpreter in ewe and twi at the district magistrate court, Accra. Then later at the Supreme Court of Ghana, before enlisting in the Gold Coast Police just a week before his 21st birthday in May 1940. He became an inspector in November 1952 and was selected for training at the Metropolitan Police College, Hendon in 1953. On his return to Ghana he progressed from the rank of assistant Superitendent of Police to become the commissioner of police in 1965.

Politics

At the time of the February 24, 1966 coup d'état that removed the Convention People's Party government of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Mr. Harlley was the Inspector General of Police, making him the most senior police officer in the country. He was one of the eight members of the National Liberation Council government formed afterwards. He remained in his office as the head of the police force and in addition was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs between 1967 and 1968. On September 3, 1969, a Presidential Commission was formed. Mr. Harlley was one of the three members of the commission. This commission remained in place even after the handover to the democratically elected Progress Party government of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. On August 7, 1970, the commission was replaced by an interim President, Nii Amaa Ollennu.

Honours