Ambassador J. L. M. Amissah - A distinguished career diplomat dies at 79
James Leslie Mayne (JLM) Amissah, a renowned career diplomat whose service to Ghana spanned almost four decades, died on the evening of Tuesday, May 27, 2014.
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Born in Cape Coast, Amissah was the second son of Samuel George and Rebecca Bernice Amissah (née Orleans).
He went to the Government Boys School of Cape Coast, now Philip Quaque Boys School, and Adisadel College in 1949. There he showed keen interest in classics and displayed early the leadership qualities as Head Prefect in 1955, which would later typify his career.
At the University of Ghana, Legon, he read a combined degree in Economics and Sociology. It was during this time at Legon that he was selected to be one of the ushers to our first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at the State House on the night of Ghana’s independence.
Noted for his flair for diplomacy, Mr Amissah was encouraged at graduation to apply to the Foreign Service. There, he joined the ranks of the respected second cadre of homegrown civil servants of the newly independent Ghana.
The quintessential career diplomat, Mr Amissah, started as an A5 officer in the Foreign Ministry. Rising quickly through the ranks, he was posted to Freetown and Cairo, and served on the historic plenary sessions of the nascent OAU in Addis Abba.
Missions
Over the years, he served in missions in Ottawa, Geneva and Bonn. Meticulous and diligent in his work, he was also known for hosting the most generous cocktails and enjoyable soirées.
In 1985, Mr Amissah, having risen to the top of his career, was appointed Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan, with concurrent accreditation to Brunei, North Korea, South Korea and Indonesia.
He returned to Ghana in 1993 and served for seven years as the Secretary to the President. For all these services, he was decorated Companion of the Order of the Volta in 2006.
Retirement
In retirement, Ambassador Amissah was an active and punctual member of the Ghana Pensioners Society, as well as its treasurer. He was a keen reader, remained a passionate advocate for education and returned to playing golf.
A lifelong lover of classical piano music, particularly Chopin’s nocturnes, Ambassador Amissah was known for his characteristic hand-tied bow-ties. Ever a man of utter discretion, he was also known for his affable humour and rock solid integrity.
Mr Amissah treasured family, not only in its nuclear format, but especially in its wider extension, embracing siblings, cousins and of course, his own children - Samuel George (GAS) and Jimmy Jnr by his first wife Baaba (née Daniels), and Leslie and Naana by Eirene (née Nicolas).
He was survived by his children, six grandchildren, Nana Kwesi, Bobby, Baaba, Papa, Araba Egyirba and Benjamin.
Ambassador Amissah was the epitome of a genuine dedicated, public servant. He served his country with humility and honesty.
Funeral service will be held at 8.am on Friday, June 13, 2014, at the Accra International Conference Centre.