Mercy Osei Owusu is an international development professional, social entrepreneur, and diaspora leader with extensive experience in youth empowerment, international cooperation, and community development.

Born in Africa and having moved to Europe as a teenager, Mercy has lived more than half of her life in Europe. Her cross-continental life experience has shaped her strong commitment to diaspora identity, integration, and reconnecting Africans and Afro-descendants worldwide for collective development and progress.

Mercy holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Migration from a Swedish university, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies and International Relations from a Danish university in Denmark.

At just 23 years old, Mercy founded the youth organization IYEC (International Youth Empowerment Center) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2007. Under her leadership, the organization successfully participated in and managed several EU-funded Erasmus projects, promoting youth empowerment, intercultural dialogue, and international mobility.

The European branch of IYEC has since evolved and been rebranded as the African Diaspora Development Network (ADDN ry), publicly known as the Black Star Afro Diaspora Network, an initiative founded and led by Mercy.

ADDN ry was formally launched in Helsinki, Finland, at a high-profile international event attended by African celebrities such as Chris Attoh and Zion Felix, alongside dignitaries and community leaders.

Mercy is driven by a powerful vision: to unite African and Afro-descendant diaspora communities worldwide, alongside immigrant communities, to contribute meaningfully to development, inclusion, and global cooperation.

In addition to her development work, Mercy is also the designer of luxury Ghana-branded tracksuits, a fashion concept aimed at creating identity and pride among Ghanaians in the diaspora. Her designs have been embraced by several public figures including American-born Ghanaian music star Amaarae, who wore the tracksuit in a music video promotional shoot, and Hollywood business leader Bozoma Saint John, who proudly wore the Ghana-branded tracksuit from Helsinki to the United States after attending the Nordic Business Forum where she appeared as a speaker.

Mercy’s development work has earned her international recognition. She is an award recipient recognized by the Mayors Conference International (USA) in collaboration with the Rain Foundation, and she has received several global nominations, including the Burj Khalifa Awards in the United Arab Emirates.

Her long-term vision is to build the Black Star Afro Diaspora Network into a globally recognized brand that plays a significant role in bridging the gap between Afro-diasporans and the African continent, while promoting personal development, economic collaboration, and cultural identity through impactful initiatives.

Beyond her professional work, Mercy is also a radio host, event host, and media personality who has interviewed numerous Ghanaian celebrities through her radio and social media platforms and hosted international events such as the Ghana Highlife Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. Known as a social butterfly, she actively creates spaces that celebrate African culture, dialogue, and networking.

A passionate music lover, Mercy enjoys listening to the music of British R&B icon Craig David and hopes to meet him one day.

Partnerships & Collaborations
For partnerships, collaborations, or media inquiries, please contact: afrodiasporanetwork@europe.com