James Bannerman (1790, Cape Coast – 18 March 1858) was a Lieutenant and acting governor of the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) from December 4, 1850 to October 14, 1851.
James Bannerman was born a native of the Gold Coast in 1790 to a Fanti mother and a Scottish father. Bannerman was educated in the Gold Coast and in Europe. Returning to the Gold Coast as a merchant, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and was Civil Commandant of Christiansborg, Accra from 1850 to 1857. He succeeded Governor Winniett, who had died, as Lieutenant-Governor of the colony, and helped to introduce the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast.[1]
He married an Ashanti princess, Yaa Hom or Yeboah, daughter of Osei Bonsu,[1] who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Katamanso in 1826. Together they had six children including Charles, Edmund and James Junior. Thomas Hutton-Mills, Sr. was a grandson, and Charles Edward Woolhouse Bannerman a great-grandson.[1]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir William Winniett |
Governor of the Gold Coast 1850–1851 |
Succeeded by Stephen John Hill |