Friday, June 12, 2009

Ghana, Anti-colonial struggle

the years of British rule of the Gold Coast during 20th centurywere an era of significant progress in social, economic, and educational development. Communications and railroads were greatly improved , new crops, including cocao were also introduced.
As the country developed economically, the focus of Govt. power gradually shifted from the hands of the governor and officials into those of GhanaiansAfter the WWII a substantial group of urban traders and workers lent their support to the aspirations of the national leaders.
By the late 19th century a growing number of educated Africans increasingly found un-acceptable to the distribution of the Government port folios, formed an organisation Aborigines' oRights Protection Society to protest against a land bill. the protest helped in the foundation of political activities leading to the struggle for independence. In 1920, one of the African members of the Legislative Coucil, Joseph E Casely-hayford, convened the national congress of British West Africa. though the elegation was not received in London, its action aroused considerable support among the African elite.
A constitutional attempt was made by the authorities to subside the movement but the new constitution (aftert 1925 and 1930) in 1946 laid a foundation stone of freedom of ghana. By that time Kwame Nkrumah created his Convention People's party(CPP) in june 1949.With increasing popular backing the CPP in early 1950 initiated a campaign of "Positive action" instigating widespread strikes and nonviolent resistance.Nkrumah being imprisoned , CPP won 2/3rd majority of the natinal assembly election. he was elected primeministerin 1952. In the mean time the Ashante based national liberation Movement (NLM)wa formed. After some constitutional struggle Ghana was offered independence on March 6, 1957.