Burial of First African Gold Coast Commissioner to UK

Burial took place in London today of late Thomas Mends Kodwo Mercer, 86, the first African to be appointed Gold Coast Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1954 to 1956.

Among those who attended the service were Messrs Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner and Mr. Fritz Andoh, Minister-Counsellor of the Ghana High Commission, London and representatives of Ghanaian Associations in and outside London metropolis.

Mr. Ekwow Spio-Gabrah, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), a nephew of Mr. Mercer and his wife were present.

Late Mercer, a patron of the Fante community, took over from Mr. Frank Leach, a British national.

It was during late Mercer's tenure of Office that the Ghana High Commission's Chancery located at 13 Belgrave Square was officially opened

Born on 17th January, 1916, he was educated at the Achimota Training College, from where he became a teacher at the Adisadel College between 1938-43.

In 1943, late Mercer, then a Senior House Master at Adisadel College, joined the UAC as Manager-in training and proceeded in 1948 to Birmingham University where he studied commerce.

During his time in Britain he maintained close contact with the then Convention People's Party and joined the party on his return to Ghana. He served as Chairman of the Cocoa Marketing Board, the Cocoa Purchasing Company and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Board. He was also served as a member of the Kumasi College of Technology Council and the National Committee on the Volta River Project.

He also played a leadership role in the affairs of the Anglican Church in Ghana and the UK.