Nationalism is the desire and willingness for people in a nation to struggle and set themselves free from foreign control. It can also be defined as a patriotic sentiment or activity on the part of groups of Africans held together by the bonds of common language and common historic experience to assert their right to live under a government of their own making for the preservation of their own political, economic and social interests.

it is therefore a force, which seeks to empower people of a nation, to have the right to determine their future destiny. In the West African context, the colonialists had already provided a uniform language in form of either French, English or German as Lingua Franca. They had also shaped the peoples' common historic background by bringing them together through colonial rule.

The rise of nationalism in West Africa is attributed to both internal and external factors.

There was also a serious role played by the educated young men and women towards the independence of their countries.

In fact the major external factor that contributed to the rise of nationalism was the Second World War.

Two decades after the Second World War all colonial powers except Portugal had granted independence to their colonies.

FACTORS WHICH LED TO AN END OF COLONIALISM

Nationalism by definition is the consciousness on part of individuals of groups of membership of a nation state either already existing or to which they aspire and of a desire to achieve political and economic freedom, overall social and economic development as well as a the cultural revival of that nation state (Adu Boahen).

Colonialism itself gave birth to a number of forces capable of overthrowing it. The activities of colonialists awakened its national consciousness such as economic, social and political revolutions.

Economic revolution

Change from slave trade to legitimate trade in natural products, exploitation of the mineral resources, from subsistence to monetary economy. Change on land tenure.

appearance of commercial firm and banks in West Africa. Emergence of working and middle class, urban centres and colonial economy.

The way mining and timber concessions were granted to European companies became a source of considerable irritation to Africans.

Elite complained of low wages, discrimination on salaries for whites and blacks performing the same kind of works.

Unfair distribution of contracts (African contractors Vs. Europeans).

European banks discriminated on giving loans.

The unemployed blamed the government and commercial firms for failing to provide employment especially to school leavers.

Division of the towns on European and African sectors, African quarters were overcrowded, unplanned slums. Towns provided ready platform for nationalist leaders and ideal for launching plans for nationalist movements and political parties.

Establishment of one - crops economies and total neglect of industrialization.

Exclusion of Africans on the import and export trade, mining and banking firms.

These grievances provoked reaction in the form of boycotts, held - ups, strikes and looting of European firms such as 1930s cocoa held up in Ghana.

1940s boycott and looting of the goods of expatriate firms n Ghana in February 1948.

These launched the country on the golden road to independence.

Social:

16.Another grievance was that introduced by Christian Missionaries. They condemned everything African such as African music, dancing, art, and system of marriage and even names.

17. Introduction of European languages to a number of tribes enables educated Africans to a mass various ideas, political economic and religious from European literature. Some of these ideas opened their eyes to evils of imperialism and colonialism.

16. Neglect of higher education was interpreted as a deliberate attempt of colonial governments to prevent the Africans from attaining the qualifications necessary for posts on the technical administrative branches and civil service and managerial branches of commercial establishments.

19. The rich students managed to go to Europe and America where they were exposed to Marxist literature and to the techniques of political organisation.

Political

20.Another factor leading to the rise of nationalism was political.

21. First the partition created the physical framework of the present nation state of West Africa.

22.Secondly, the colonial governments especially in British West Africa neglected the educated elite (indirect rule through the traditional chiefs).

23.The educated Africans from Europe and America were not absorbed in the administration of their country of even in native authority courts could not take up the lawyers,

24. The educated protested against this exclusion and discrimination and demanded admission into the civil service, the legislature and the law courts. They started making these demands as early as 1870s in British West Africa and 1950s in French West Africa.

25. The rise of Nationalist Movements and political parties in Africa through which this discontent was expressed was another factor leading to independence. The second factor was pressure exerted on the colonial powers by the United Nations as well as anti - colonial parties in Europe.

THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 -1945

The loss of tropical Asia during the war to the Japanese made Europe more dependent upon the products of the tropical Africa, such as palm oil, groundnuts, coffee, cocoa, rubber and cotton. Africans had more money than before.

Local manufacturers tried to supply goods which Europe could no long supply such as more jobs created.

People flocked in from the country to take up the new jobs. Many cities doubled in size, the crowded slums doubled. Thousands desired education but could not get it.

There was a greater number of people able to read and write. African newspapers with these demands influenced a great number of people.

Clubs were formed for example ethnic or progress unions and church clubs which provided help and entertainment to city new comers.

These clubs and associations turned to political discussions led by educated members who argued for a return to African self-governments and respect tor African rights and dignity.

To win African support in the war against Hitler, the British made specific promises such as;

To give an African majority in the legislative councils

To make money available from British sources for colonial development

West Africans were recruited in large numbers for military services.

The largest colonial army to serve overseas was sent from West Africa to fight the Japanese in Asia.

These soldiers having fought for a free world wanted a free Africa and were the militant  followers of the nationalist leaders.

The 1945 Manchester Conference

The 5th Pan African Congress took place at Manchester in England in 1945.

Outspoken and highly educated African nationalists like Kwame Nkrumah for Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta for Kenya, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda for Malawi, Patrice Lumumba for Congo,  Nigeria's Nnamdi Aziklwe, Guinea's Sekou Toure and Senegal's Leopold Senghor among others attended this conference.

They were inspired to organise and prepare their people to struggle for independence.

They advocated for independence among African countries.

STAGES IN GHANA'S INDEPENDENCE:

1946, Governor Burns introduced a new constitution on Ghana which provided for an African elected majority in the Legislative Council. Ghanaians were disappointed because the Legislative Council had only advisory powers and of the 18 elected members , 13 were chiefs who were elected by the Governor and were suspected of being government supporters. Only 5 were elected by the people.

1947 J.B. Danquah and others organised the United Gold coast Convention to protest again the Bums constitution. Kwame Nkrumah became its secretary.

Between 1948, Commercial firms fixed prices of goods and Introduced conditional safes of goods unsalable.

These factors combined with other hardships after the war resulted into agitation led by ex - service men and the traders. Riots developed leaving 29 killed, 237 injured and property of foreigners damaged.

The colonial government blamed the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C) and Danquah, Nkrumah and few others were placed under preventive detention.

 A committee of African " the Coursey Committee was appointed to advise the colonial government on further political changes. Most nationalists except Nkrumah served in it.

After detention, Nkrumah felt that U.G.C.C. was very conservative and set up the Convention Peoples Party which was devoted to positive action.

 Nkrumah relied more on the youth than the old educated elites.

To force the pace of political change, the C.P.P, declared a nationwide strike and boycott.

Nkrumah and others were jailed, the C.P.P. newspaper, the Accra Evening News were banned.

1951, election was held while Nkrumah was in jail, the C.P.P swept to victory with 33 seats against 3 for the U.G.C.C. Nkrumah was elected to represent Accra.

Nkrumah was released from jail and was asked to name his cabinet.

He speeded up Africanization, pushed education and development projects, reorganized local governments, subordinated the chiefs to elected Councilors and in 1953 proposed a new self-government constitutions with an all Africa cabinet.

Other political parties in the Gold Coast

A number of elites disagreed with C.P.P and feared Nkrumah tendencies towards absolute power.

The north complained of neglect and both the north and Asante resented the way their chiefs were being pushed aside. Other opposition parties rose up in the north and established was the Asante National Liberation Movement (N.L.M) in Asante. Violent clashed between C.P.P and N.L.M flared up in Kumasi accompanied by house burning and political murders.

 In Togo, a United Nations Mandate administration by the British's part of Ghana, a referendum was held in 1956 to decide its future course. The majority of the people desired reunion with either brethren in Ghana but the Ewe people desired with their brethren on French Togo united with Ghana. A good number of Ewe joined N.L.M- against C.P.P.

1956, election, gave 72 seats to C.P.P. and 32 opposition parties. The British government banded over power to C.P.P and early 1957, Ghana became the first West African state to emerge from colonialism into freedom.

The Role of Political Parties In The Attainment Of Ghana's Independence,

Two major parties struggled for Gold Coast's independence, namely: the UGCC and the CPP. Both were mass political parties and in both Kwame Nkrumah played a leading role.

The UGCC was formed in 1947 by a group of intellectuals for example J.B. Danquah, Grant, Ofori Atta and others. Its main objective was to fight for Gold Coast's independence through the use of constitutional means'.

The UGCC was an mass party, which recruited people from all, walks of life for example lawyers, disgruntled cocoa farmers and ex-service men, traders etc. This non-sectarian approach won the UGCC a number of supporters.

The UGCC came out as a voice of the aggrieved farmers whose cocoa plants had been cut down by government officials due to the outbreak of the Swollen Shoot Cocoa disease. UGCC interpreted this as a deliberate move to make Gold Coastians poor. It called for the compensation of farmers.

It also condemned the wide spread unemployment, exploitation of farmers by English businessmen and inflation. This attracted a number of people to join the party.

In 1947, Nkrumah returned home and was made the secretary general of the UGCC. Having witnessed Western politics and democracy, and having attended the 5th Pan African Congress Nkrumah gave the UGCC new life. He worked tirelessly for the party.

The UGCC pointed out the weaknesses of the 1946 Burns constitution. It had favoured the illiterate chiefs and left the elites out of the legislative Assembly. It had also vested too much power into the hands of colonial masters since they occupied the ministerial posts (the executive). It had also ignored the needs of Northern Gold Coast. The UGCC demanded for a more representative constitution.

The UGCC reached out to the influential but parochial Asante people and attracted them into the party. This was a big step towards national unity.

In 1948, the UGCC backed up the ex-service men when they organised a peaceful demonstration to Accra. The ex-service men were poor, unemployed and hungry. Yet they had been promised heaven on earth before being recruited to serve in the Second World War, when the colonial government shot some of the demonstrators, the UGCC came out and openly critisized the British as murderers. It called upon all Ghanaians to unite against such acts of terrorism. Although this earned Nkrumah and Danquah an arrest, at least it served to widen support for the UGCC and its leaders.

On their release, the UGCC leaders toured the whole country mobilising the people to fight for independence. They succeeded in recruiting a number of new members.

The UGCC pointed out the weaknesses of the 1949 Coussey report, which had been appointed to study the causes of the 1948 riots. It recommended the expansion of African representatives in the Legco and colonial cabinet but to the UGCC, this was not enough. It advocated for full independence.

Misunderstandings between Nkrumah and Danquah led to his breaking away from the UGCC to form the CPP. Nkrumah's breaking away greatly weakened the UGCC but the party still pressed for Gold Coast's independence - this is a credit.

The UGCC must be hailed for participating in the various pre-independence elections for example in 1951, 1954 and 1956 parliamentary/Legco elections. It is credited for struggling to Africanise Ghana's politics.

The UGCC sensitised people about the oppressive and exploitative nature of the British colonialists.

It also reminded the people about their past glories for example the Anglo-Asante wars of the 19th Century during which the Asante had defeated the British twice, the great ancient Ghana empire etc. All these aroused nationalistic feelings.

However, the U.G.C.C became too peaceful and constitutional. This made it fail to lead Gold Coast to independence. It failed to appreciate Nkrumah's radicalism and instead forced him to resign and form a rival party- the CPP.

Its leaders were mainly lawyers who were proud and distant from the masses.

It failed to be a spokes mouth for street boys

It insisted on peaceful methods even when they couldn't produce results.

U.G.C.C became an unhealthy competitor against Nkrumah whom it smeared black.

STAGES IN GHANA'S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE.

The 1944 Burns constitution. In 1944, Governor Burns introduced a constitution by which African representatives on the Legco were increased. This was a constitutional step towards the independence of Gold Coast. The Legislative Council (Legco) was the colonial parliament in most British colonies.

The 1946 Burns constitution. After the 2nd world war, the labour government in Britain instructed governor Burns to issue another constitution providing majority seats for Africans in the Legislative Council. This led to the issuing of the 1946 Burns constitution, which was a big step towards Gold Coast's independence.

The formation of the U.G.C.C. In 1947, a mass political party- the United Gold Coast convention (U.G.C.C) was formed by elites and businessmen for example J.B. Danquah, William Ofori Atta and George Grant. The U.G.C.C. vowed to use constructional means to fight for Gold coast's independence.

The return of Kwame Nkrumah to Gold Coast in 1947 was also a big step towards the country's independence. After studying in America and London for 12 years, he was invited by the U.G.C.C. Using his Charisma, he expanded the U.G.C.C from 2 to 500 branches within only six months of his return. He was a great orator and organiser who even persuaded the influential Asante to join the U.G.C.C.

The 1948 riots in Accra and Kumasi were also great landmarks in Gold Coast's search for independence. The riots were organised by dissatisfied ex-service men. They planned a match to Accra to present their grievances to the governor. Unfortunately, a certain British officer opened fire and killed two of them. This only widened the riots throughout Accra and Kumasi. The white men's property was destroyed or looted. The British cooled the riots by shooting at least 29 Africans. This provided U.G.C.C. with more ground for criticising the British.

The arrest of nationalists in 1948 was also a big step towards Gold coast's Independence. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. J.B. Danquah were accused of instigating /causing the 1948 riots and were jailed. However, this led to the more determination amongst nationalists to fight for their independence. It turned Nkrumah into a hero.

The appointment of Arden Clarke as the new governor of gold Coast in 1949 also facilitated the road to independence. He was flexible and co-operative with nationalists like Nkrumah. He believed in self-government and prepared Gold Coast for self rule.

The 1949 Coussey report was also a big step towards Gold Coast's independence. Sir Henley Coussey was appointed to head a commission of inquiry into the causes of the 1948 riots. The result was the Coussey report, which recommended an increase of African representatives on the Legco, the formation of an executive council of 11 ministers, 8 of whom to be Africans. Colonial masters accepted the proposals.

The formation of the CPP in 1949 was also a big step towards Gold Cost's independence.  In June 1949, Nkrumah disagreed with other U.G.C.C. leaders. Consequently, he broke away from the U.G.C.C. and formed a new mass Party- the Convention Peoples' Party (CPP). It was radical with a motto "Forward Ever, Backward Never". He recruited into the Party, radical street boys.

The Ghana Peoples' Representative Assembly of 1949 also quickened the pace for Gold Coast's independence. Convened by Nkrumah to study the Coussey Report, the Assembly pointed out the loopholes of the report.

The call for positive Action. Nkrumah travelled the whole country in 1950 calling for positive action against colonialists. This included the use of non-violent but radical methods for example strike, boycotts, protests, writing articles in newspapers etc.

The adoption of radical slogans, like "self government Now," "Freedom Now" etc, created a strong sense of determination amongst nationalists to fight for Gold coast's independence.

The 1950 arrest of Nkrumah also quickened Gold Coast's pace towards independence. He and others were arrested due to the rampant 1950 riots. He was charged of inciting the public by appealing for "positive action". His second arrest just like the first one just increased his fame.

The 1951 elections to the Legco also played a big role in Gold coast's path towards independence. The CPP won 34 out of 38 seats. The 34 elected members included a prisoner- Nkrumah who was elected to represent Accra Central constituency in the colonial parliament. This was a surprise which made Sir Arden Clarke to release Nkrumah.

The appointment of Nkrumah as the "leader of government business" was also a big step towards Gold Coast's independence. Convinced about Nkrumah's greatness, Sir Charles A. Clarke made him the head of the colonial government with a title "leader of government business". He used his position to demand for the complete  independence of Gold Coast. From 1951 onwards there existed cordial relations between the British colonialists and Gold Coast's nationalists.

The 1954 elections still showed the power of the CPP over other political parties. It won 79 out of 104 seats. However this legislative victory brewed regional and sectarian opposition against the CPP.

The 1956 elections were organised by the British to prove the CPP's strength. All the opposition parties namely UGCC, NLM, MAP, NPP made an alliance against CPP but were overwhelmingly defeated. The masses had reiterated the popular choice of CPP.

On 5th May 1957, Britain granted independence to Gold Coast at Mid night with Kwame Nkrumah as the country's first president.

FROM GOLD COAST TO GHANA: IDENTITY AND HISTORY

On 5 March 1957, at midnight, at a mass ceremony the Union Jack was lowered and Ghana's red green and gold flag with a black star was raised. The change of name from Gold Coast to Ghana was the first implementation of Nkrumah's updated concept (borrowed from the nineteenth-century Liberian, Edward Blyden) of 'the African Personality'. The idea of 'personality' in this context implies the idea of identity and a country's name is an important aspect of its total identity. According to Nkrumah, the main objection to the name 'the Gold Coast' was that it had a translatable meaning. Any name which was translatable was a dilution of identity. In a speech to the Ghana National Assembly on 12 November 1956 Nkrumah argued in the following terms:

The name Gold Coast ... is internationally regarded not as a name but 25 a description. It has therefore been the habit of each European country to give the Gold Coast in its own language not the English title of 'Gold Coast', but a name which in the language of that European country means 'gold coast'. The Government consider it very undesirable that the Gold Coast should begin its independent international life with as many names as there are languages represented in the United Nations.

But why was the name Ghana chosen to replace that of the Gold Coast? Here too questions of identity and personality were involved. David E. Apter has pointed out that new nations often revel in the vision of 'rebirth' and the innocence of youth. 7 But even more important for a sense of national identity is a myth of being old and wrinkled as a nation. As Northern Rhodesia later came to do, the Gold Coast could have contrived a new name for itself. But the Gold Coast selected instead an identity with a wealth of history behind it. Though a new state, it preferred the grey-haired dignity of an ancient name. As Nkrumah romantically put it in the course of the independence celebrations: 'It is our earnest hope that the Ghana which is now being reborn will be, like the Ghana of old, a centre to which all the peoples of Africa may come and where all the cultures of Africa may meet.'8

In so far as nations are concerned, there is often a direct correlation between identify and age. A country like Egypt or Ethiopia would not have a longing to be old of precisely the kind that Nkrumah's country was bound to have. The paradox of Nkrumah's ambition for his country was to modernize and 'ancientize' at the same time. Mali, Malawi, Benin and Zimbabwe are later cases of nations trying to create a sense of antiquity by adopting an old name.

 

FACTORS FOR THE EARLY INDEPENDENCE OF GHANA.

Ethnic Unity: Gold coast had a homogeneous population and therefore did not suffer so much from the ethnic differences as did other African countries. Almost 50% of the entire population were Akan speakers. Even the non-Akan peoples such as the Ewe, Ga and Twi had adopted Akan culture and language. Such people were easy to mobilise for meaningful nationalist activities unlike other African communities which were torn apart by ethnicism and parochialism.

Historical perspective: Historically, the people of Gold Coast hated colonial rule. The Asante for instance had fought and defeated the British twice during the imposition of colonial rule in the 19th century. Though they were defeated during the third battle, the nationalistic spirit remained. In the 1930s, the youths formed nationalistic parties and agitated for independence so as to move in the foot steps of their ancestors. This enabled Ghana to spearhead independence in black Africa.

A Manageable population: The size and population of Gold cost was small, compact and manageable. In the 1950s, her population stood at only 5 million and such a population was easy to mobilize and organise.

The influence of elites: Unlike other African colonies, Gold coast had a well- developed education system. As early as the 1950s she had a number of lawyers, doctors, teachers and businessmen. Elites included J.B. Danquah, Ako Adjei, William Ofori Atta, Edward Akuffo Addo and Francis Awoonor.   These provided able leadership.

A stable economy: Gold coast's economy was more advanced than that of many African colonies at the time. From the wealth obtained out of cocoa sales, the peoples '' of Gold Cost were in position to support anti-colonial struggles.

Efficient communication network: Gold coast had a well developed network of roads and railways. These facilitated the movement of nationalists to and from the various comers of the colony. In the process, nationalistic ideas were spread to towns and villages

The influence of the 2nd world war: The ex-service men found life unbearable and either formed or joined political parties.  They explained the nature of western democracy and awakened nationalistic feelings. Negatively, the war led to inflation, overcrowding in towns, unemployment and the introduction of the quota system by which Africans were pushed out of business. This led to the rise of early nationalism.

Economic exploitation; The British businessmen had monopolised the import and export trade. They determined and offered very low prices to cocoa farmers and Gold miners. This aroused anger, more so due to rampant unemployment and inflation. This forced Ghanaians to fight for their independence early enough.

The cutting of cocoa tress also led to the rise of early nationalism in Gold coast. Due to the outbreak of the cocoa swollen shoot disease, the British colonialists ordered farmers to cut down the cocoa trees without compensation. People became annoyed, joined political parties and agitated for self-rule.

The 1941 Atlantic Charter also inspired nationalists in Gold coast to fight for independence. The Charier clearly slated the sovereign rights of all colonised peoples to advocate for self-rule. Nationalists of U.G.C.C, and CPP made use of the Charter to demand for self-government from the British.

The inadequate constitutional changes also aroused early nationalism in Gold coast. The 1946 Burns constitution expanded African representatives on the Legco. Unfortunately, the British appointed the old colonial chiefs who were puppets. Besides, the constitution left the executive under the domination of whites. This made Dr. J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah and others to reject and decampaign the 1946 Burns constitution. Their explanations led to nationalist feelings.

The role of Governor Burns also led to the early independence of Gold Coast. He was understanding, sympathetic, co-operative and accommodative of nationalistic views.

The 1946 and 1948 riots also pressurized the British to speed up Gold Coast's independence.  They were led by ex-service men, joined by farmers, elites and businessmen. These riots led to the imprisonment of Kwame Nkrumah and JB. Danquah but this only led to more political awareness and bitterness in Gold Coast. Riots worried the British that the same could happen in the rest of British West Africa since Gold Coast was taken as a model- hence they hurried to grant her independence.

The role of political parties: The early formation of mass political parties led to the early independence of Gold Coast. Such parties as the United Gold Coast convention (UGCC) and the Convention Peoples Party (CCP) formed in 1947 and 1949 respectively, led to sensitization and easy mobilisation of the masses for independence.

The Charismatic leadership of Kwame Nkrumah also led to early independence. He was tall, handsome, young, and eloquent and had exceptional organisational ability. He was friendly to school leavers, ex-service men, elites, traders, jobless people etc. He returned to Ghana from abroad in 1947 and gave new life to the politics of Gold Coast. Ten years later, he led Ghana to independence.

The role of Sir Arden Clarke. Gold Coast was blessed with the appointment of a new Governor- Sir Charles Arden Clarke. He, too, worked closely with Kwame Nkrumah leading to the early independence of Gold Coast.

The role of the press also led to the early independence of Gold Coast. Newspapers like the Accra Evening News & the Cape Coast Daily Mailed to political awakening in Gold Coast and exerted pressure on the British to grant independence.

The influence of the labour party. Upon its rise to power in 1945, the Labour Party advocated for decolonization of the entire British colonial Empire. Atlee instructed Governor Burns to make constitutional changes in favour of Africans in Gold Coast- Hence the '1946 Burns constitution.

The influence of the UNO, which called for, a speedy decolonisation of Africa led to early self-rule in Ghana. In 1956, the UNO organised a referendum amongst the Ewe tribe living in Western Togo. The Ewe had caused political insecurity because they wanted to join their Ewe tribesmates in Gold Coast. The referendum led to the unity of the entire Ewe under Gold Coast administration. This increased the pace of nationalism in the country.

The Manchester Conference of 1945 also influenced nationalism in Gold Coast. Kwame Nkrumah attended this 5th Pan African Congress and adopted the strategy of positive Action, which he used to lead to Gold Coast's independence.

The harsh British reaction to the 1948 riots also led to anger and radical nationalism. Instead of discussing with ex-service men, the British shot some of them in the chests and imprisoned Danquah and Nkrumah. This led to increased the speed and radicalism in demanding for Gold Coast's independence.

The influence of Asian's independence among other factors should be considered seriously.

Obstacles In Gold Coast's Search For Independence.

The first political party (U.G.C.C.) was under the leadership of lawyers who were a little proud and failed to reach out to the common man

The U.G.C.C. insisted on the use of constitutional methods so as to obtain independence.  Even when it was clear that negotiations with the British were producing partial results, the U.G.C.C. insisted on non-radicalism.      

There was a split of nationalistic efforts when Nkrumah broke off from the U.G.C.C, in 1949 and formed the C.P.P. The two parties remained antagonistic throughout the struggle for independence; the U.G.C.C. accused Nkrumah of being a self-seeker.

After winning the 1951 elections, Nkrumah became rather dictatorial. He stopped listening to the advice of his comrades and instead expelled a number of them from the C.P.P. This scared other C.P.P. members who voluntarily resigned from the party between 1951-1952. This threatened to tear the C.P.P. apart.

The internal self-government, which Nkrumah headed between 1951-1956, was characterised by corruption. Public funds went into the pockets of parliamentarians and ministers.

Tribal and regional feelings tended to surface and sabotage nationalism in Gold Coast. The, Asante felt proud and feared that national unity would sub-merge their traditional greatness. Due to their resistance against the British, the Asante were backward. They wished to use the money from their Cocoa to develop their hospitals and schools. However part of their money went to develop other areas. This nearly alienated the Asante from the struggle.

The formation of the National Liberation Movement (NLM) by the Asante in 1954 threatened national Unity in Gold Coast. The NLM under Dr. Busia became so antagonistic with the CPP that several clashes occurred in Kumasi between the supporters of both parties. Deaths and destruction occurred.

The Ewe of Gold Coast wanted to unite with their tribesmates in Togo. This posed a big challenge to nationalists until 1956 when the UNO organised a referendum by which the Ewe of Togo were brought under the control of Gold Coast.

The Northern tribes of Dagomba and Mamprusi felt jealousy of the Southerners and formed their own party called "The Northern Peoples' Party" (NPP). This parochialism endangered the quick pace towards independence.

Religious divisions also slowed down the pace of the independence struggle. Muslims formed their Muslim Association Party (MAP) with its headquarters in Kumasi. This tended to work for only the interest of Moslems.

Divisions over the suitable form of government also worked against the quick pace towards independence. While some elites like Nkrumah advocated for a Unitary form of Government, the leaders of NLM, MAP and NPP wanted federal governments and therefore advocated for a federal constitution.

The British desire to continue exploiting the Gold and Cocoa resources of Gold Coast also proved an obstacle.

The use of violent/harsh means to calm down strikes also scared a number of nationalists and delayed Gold Coast's independence. Between 1950-51 the British declared a state of emergency in Gold Coast and jailed a number of nationalists for example Kofi Bako and J. Marckhan - the editor of Accra Evening news were jailed for writing seditious articles.

KWAME NKRUMAH AND GHANA'S INDEPENDENCE:

independence in Ghana was influenced by ex - service men who had participated in the second world war.

In 1947 Dr. Danquah and some Gold coast leaders formed the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC); which aimed at self-government.

Independence was actually achieved through the influence of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah-

He was one of the greatest leaders Africa has ever had. He was a missionary teacher and in 1935 he left for U.S. for further studies. After graduation he lectured at Lincoln University.

During his stay in the United States, he was inspired by Marcus Garvery's philosophy. He left U.S. for London in 1945 and became active in politics; becoming the Vice President of the West African student's Union.

In 1947, he returned to Ghana and became the Secretary General of U.G.C.C.

He revealed the radical nature of his leadership which alienated him from the moderate U.G.C.C intellectuals.

He forced the cutting down of cocoa trees and caused discontent. Realizing the weakness of U.G.C.C- Nkrumah broke off and formed the C.P.P (Convention People's Party) which aimed at immediate self-government.

C.P.P supported boycotts and strikes. The 1950 disturbances landed Nkrumah in detention.

In 1951 elections, Kwame's party won and was released asked to form a government.

In 1952 he became the Prime Minister and he put persistent pressure on the British Government to grant independence to Gold Coast.

In 1956 Nkrumah demanded for complete independence. In July 1956 elections were held again and Nkrumah won 72 seats and opposition parties got 32.

In 1957 Nkrumah led his country to independence and the name Gold Coast was changed to Ghana.   In 1960 Ghana became a Republic within the British Commonwealth and Nkrumah was unanimously elected President of Ghana Republic.

The National Council Of Nigeria And The Cameroons 1944

In Nigeria Nahdi Azikiwe broke from the earlier move conservative elite, leadership and joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) and progressive unions and other voluntary Associations all over Nigeria affiliated and became branches of the party.

In 1945, in reaction to war time hardships, a general strike swept the country and the NCNC alone of the political parties supported it.   This made this party very popular among the workers.

In 1946, Governor Richards introduced a new constitution which fell short of Nigerian hopes.

Criticisms of the Richards constitution was that Nigerians were not consulted.

The National Conference was held at Ibadan on 1950 where ethnic feelings ran high.

The Hausa North showed its fear of southern political domination and many Yoruba were uneasy about the recent rise to prominence of Ibo on the nationalist movement.

As a result, the Ibadan conference demanded a federal form of government with strong regional governments.

 The NCNC became more Ibo dominated than before. Ethnic feelings in many leaders triumphed over national feelings. In the Kano riots, northerners and southerners were locked in pitched battle.

 As a result, every constitutional change gave more power to the regional governments and less to the central government, which was too weak to provide national leadership.

Western and eastern regions internal self - government in 1957 and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, as Federal Prime Minister, formed a coalition government of NPC;

NCNC and Action Group Ministries.

Fears of disintegration arose when minority groups began to demand their separate regions. The Bin in the Western region complained of Yoruba domination Middle belt groups disliked Hausa Fulani domination.

The British carried out an election before they left.

Both the NCNC and Action Group attempted to organise a countrywide campaign to get support from various groups. Generally, the NPC won the north, Action group the West and NCNC the East 1959.

The federal government under Tafawa Balewa, with Action Group remaining in opposition formed the government. The new nation celebrated its freedom in 1960.

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7 David E. Apter, 'Political religion in the new nations', in Clifford Geertz (ed.). Old Societies and New States, Free Press of Glencoe, New York, 1963, p, 79.

 

8 Kwame Nkrumah, I Speak of Freedom,  Praeger, New York. 1961, p. 133-