GHANA AND ITS INDEPENDENCE
April 16 2007
On March 6, 1957, the Gold Coast accomplished a significant feat by becoming the first black African country to gain independence from colonial rule, and, in honour of this new beginning, the country assumed a new name, Ghana. The final attainment of independence for this nation marked the end of a long struggle to sever ties with Europe.
The Gold Coast came in contact with Europe from as early as the fifteenth century when Portuguese explorers arrived on the Fanti coast. They were attracted to this part of Africa because it was rich in minerals, especially gold, and as such the area was named the Gold Coast. The Portuguese not only set up a fortress in the country, but also established a thriving business in gold trade and other precious items such as ivory and spices such as pepper. Soon, other European nations joined the Portuguese in establishing fortresses in the Gold Coast region and they too participated in the lucrative trade of precious minerals and spices. Some of those who went to the region included the French, the English, the Dutch, the Swedes and the Danes.
In later years, the slave trade became much more profitable than trade in precious minerals as there was a high demand for labour on the plantations in the West Indies. So, again, the Europeans exploited the resources only this time the focus was on the Africans who were shipped to the New World to complement the labour force. The slave trade proved to be very lucrative and it flourished for two centuries until economic interests shifted again.
Many wars over supremacy erupted between the British and the inhabitants of the Gold Coast, the Asante and the Fante. In an effort to maintain peace among all the factions, Commander Hill, who was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of British Forts and Castles in the Gold Coast, prepared a short three paragraph document which was initially signed by seven coastal chiefs on March 6, 1844, and subsequently by ten other chiefs. The document later became known as the Bond of 1844 and represented the first major imperial assault on the rights and powers of the people of the Gold Coast to administer their own affairs. It prohibited certain customary practices and provided that criminal cases were to be tried by British officials in conjunction with the chiefs. A few years after the signing of this document, the British consolidated their power and authority in the Gold Coast through the establishment of a government. By 1874, most of the European traders lost interest in the Gold Coast and so they left the region, leaving only the British traders who by now were the most dominant.
There was much opposition to the ever-strengthening British authority. Several chiefs from the region protested against British rule and the infringement of their rights. In subsequent years, the Fante Confederation, the Accra Native Confederation and the Aborigines Rights Protection Society all joined the protests. After the Second World War (1939-1945), exploitation of the Africans continued. Educated Ghanians were discriminated against and often overlooked when high positions were available in the civil service. However, a wind of change was fast approaching. Ex-Ghanian soldiers who had fought in the World War were inspired to struggle against British rule by the struggles for independence that had occurred in India and Burma. They knew that they were superior to the British on the battlefield and used this knowledge to propel their plan into action.
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Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
(Courtesy of http://www.ghana50.gov.gh) |
First on the agenda was the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C) to help free the Gold Coast from colonial rule “within the shortest possible time”, in August 1947. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who later became president of Ghana, was the general secretary of this organization. Secondly, a general boycott of all European imports was organized which saw a series of riots taking place afterwards. The final course of action involved a march by the ex-servicemen to the Christiansborg Castle to submit a petition to the Governor about their poor conditions. This exercise though proved to be a deadly one as three of the leaders of the group were killed when a white Superintendent of police opened fire on the unarmed group of men. This event sparked a series of events which included the looting of stores owned by Europeans and Asians as well as the freeing of inmates in the Central Prison. As a result of their actions, six of the leading nationalist leaders of the UGCC were arrested.
After his release, Dr. Nkrumah became very displeased with the progress of the UGCC. He wanted self-government ‘now’ and not ‘within the shortest time possible’. In light of this, he broke away from the UGCC and formed the Convention People’s Party (C.P.P.), the first political party in Ghana, on June 12, 1949. By January 1950, Nkrumah organized a strike by the masses and another boycott of British imports. He and fellow organizers were again imprisoned for their involvement in the strike and boycott. This imprisonment though made Nkrumah a hero in the eyes of his people, and as a result, despite his imprisonment, Nkrumah convincingly won the first elections ever to be held in the Gold Coast in 1951. Four days after the election, Nkrumah was released from prison and appointed Leader of Government Business. In March 1952 he was given the title Prime Minister. Despite his status, he did not have much power, as this was retained by the Governor General. Nkrumah quickly set out to change this and submitted several proposals for a new constitution which would give the post of Prime Minister more power. His proposals were approved and in April 1954 a new constitution was introduced which allowed for an all-African cabinet.
The C.P.P. won two subsequent elections held in 1954 and 1956. The last one in 1956 was very significant which resulted in the passing of a resolution calling for independence. So, a changeover date was announced and on March 6, 1957, Ghana was free of British rule. Dr. Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister of independent Ghana. He later declared Ghana a republic on July 1, 1960 and himself President for life in 1964. Consequently, Ghana became very influential in the attainment of independence by many other colonized countries in Africa.
This year Ghana celebrates 50 years of independence. The theme for the anniversary is ‘Championing African Excellence’. Year-long activities mark the Golden Jubilee, the objectives of which are:
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To celebrate and commemorate Ghana’s landmark achievement as the first
country in Black Africa to attain independence from colonial rule;
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To reflect on the evolution, development, achievements and drawbacks of the country over the past fifty (50) years; and
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To look forward to the future, to the vision of excellence in all fields of endeavour in the next fifty (50) years toward their centenary birthday as a nation.
References
Bourret, F.M. Ghana: The Road to Independence. London: Oxford University Press, 1960.
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Ghana before Independence. <http://www.info.-ghana.com/history.htm> Mar. 2002: Feb. 19, 2007
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Official website for the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration of Ghana.
<http://www.ghana50.gov.gh/ghana50/> Feb. 19, 2007.
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