Independence movements - Ghana

Background to British rule

Ashanti dominated 18th century Ghana. They traded slaves to Dutch, British, and Danes. They had become very rich as a result.

After outlawing the slave trade in 1814, Ashanti lost power and British started encroaching on their land as they were worried they supplied slaves to the new world. in 1902, the Ashanti became the Gold Coast colony.

1. What was the role of nationalism and political ideology in the development of Ghana's independence movement?

Early 20th century gold coast was prosperous - gold, slaves, palm oil, then cocoa. after ww2 gold coast was #2 in cocoa production.

West africans were afforded overseas (british, US) education in 1850s and began to become nationalist/against british rule.

The first sign of nationalism was with ARPS (Aborigines Rights Protection Society) in 1890s to campaign again an unused land secession bill. 1898, ARPS sent a delegation to london and had the bill withdrawn.

Joseph E. Casely-Hayford was a gold coast lawyer/nationalist who created the National Congress of British West Africa. There was strong unity between Intellectuals and Nationalists, unlike India.

Pan-Africanism rose in the 1920s with the help of Marcus Garvey and W E B Du bois. Nkrumah believed in Pan-Africanism. This mindset helped cultivate the politics for independence.

Sir Alan Burns created a 1946 constitution to quell nationalism by offering Africans greater representation in the Legislative Council, similar to the Montagu Declaration.

2. What was the impact of social and economic factors in the development of Ghana's independence movement?

Social

The Gold Coast held different ethnic groups although they were very similar due to shared Ashanti heritage. There was no overt language division like in India, and English was becoming a Lingua Franca due to overseas study. This helped nationalist sentiment.

Economic

ww2 put strain on Gold Coast due to housing shortages, goods shortages and imported good price gouging, and difficult urban markets as soldier came back from war. The british also ordered cocoa farmers to cut down their trees, causing discontent.

1947-1948 boycotts against European/Syrian businesses due to high cost of imports

these boycotts led to the 1948 Accra riots after police shot at ex-servicemen protesting. Nkrumah used the riot to promote the United Gold Coast Convention’s usage of nonviolent resistance against the British. The governor was scared of the UGCC’s prominence and arrested the big six as a result.

3. Wars as a cause and/or catalyst for independence movements: What was the impact of the Second World war?

In 1942 African troops from the Gold Coast fought in Burma against the Japanese. The conditions were very hard and African troops were crucial in the campaign. The route to Burma went through India where nationalist leaders were already preparing for independence. This made a big impact on African soldiers, especially after they experienced racism at the hands of british (same as India)

In 1948, there were riots by ex-servicemen in Accra which became a catalyst for widespread political activism and accelerated the movement towards independence.

1. What methods were used to achieve independence?

The united gold coast convention advocated for “self rule in the shortest possible time”. It was generally moderate with educated officials such as JB Danquah, AG Grant, and Nkrumah. After Accra riots (1948) and imprisonment of big six, UGCC was invited to make reccommendations to the Coussey Committee (constitutional commission)

After Nkrumah’s release from prison, he felt frustrated with UGCC and Coussey Commitee and became more radical. 1949 he founded the Convention People’s Party, which identified more with working class people. The CPP used many newspapers such as Accra Evening News to spread the message.

Nkrumah then created the Ghana Representative Council (GRC) and demanded creation of a constitution for self government. by 1850, Nkrumah adopted Gandhi’s methods and declared Positive Action day.

By 1951 the CPP gained 38 seats in the popular ballot. Nkrumah was made Leader of Government business which was changed to Prime Minister in 1952.

There was some opposition to Nkrumah and the CPP at this time. In the Ashanti region, there was disatisfaction at the fixing of cocoa prices in order to fund development projects. The National Liberation Movement (NLM) was established which used mass political action as well as paramilitary 'action groupers'.

However, in 1956, the CPP won 71 of the 104 seats with 57% of the national vote.

2. Role and importance of leaders of independence movements: What was the role and importance of Nkrumah as leader of Ghana's independence movement?