James Mercer (diplomat)

James Mercer was a Ghanaian diplomat who was Ambassador to Israel during the 1960s. He was also a prominent lawyer and businessman, becoming the founding chairman of the now-defunct Ghana Airways.

Early life

Mercer was born in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana on 17 January 1916. His twin brother was Thomas Mends Kodwo-Mercer, and both attended Adisadel College, Cape Coast, as did many of his siblings, children and grandchildren, a long-standing tradition of his family.

Career

Mercer was a prominent lawyer, working during the government of Kwame Nkrumah and beyond. Mercer was a barrister-at-law at the Sekondi Bar, Chairman of the Ghana/Ivory Coast Border Commission and first chairman of the now-defunct Ghana Airways.

From 24 May 1962 to 1963 he was ambassador to Peking.
From 1 July 1964 to 24 February 1966 he was ambassador to Tel Aviv.

Personal life and death

James Mercer was the father of Andrew Egypa Mercer, a current member of parliament for Sekondi and Esther Mercer. He was also the brother of Thomas Mends Kodwo-Mercer, the first Ghanaian High Commissioner to Britain from 1954 to 1956 and uncle of the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah. James Mercer was also the uncle of late Sally Hayfron, first wife of Robert Mugabe.
James Mercer died on 17 September 1985, at the age of 69.