Did the Colonial Governor, Frederick Gordon Guggisberg promote Africanization in the colonial history of the Gold Coast?

Abstract

Many scholars have downplayed the role of the colonial administration to the promotion and development of African interest, capabilities and involvement during colonialism. In this paper, I argue that Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg promoted Africanization in the Gold Coast from 1919 to 1927. I am not attempting to promote Eurocentric perspective, but to demonstrate that, in the colonial history of Ghana, Guggisberg was the ‘primus inter pares’ for the promotion of black interest. First, Guggisberg replaced the 1916 constitution of his predecessor, Sir Hugh Clifford, with the 1925 constitution which introduced elective principles. The 1925 constitution and other evidence from colonial records indicate that, the elective principles opened the door for Africans to contest in various provinces and be elected to the legislative council. Archival records reveal Guggisberg instituted the Native Administrative Ordinance in 1927. He used the chiefs as the agents for the preservation of the native institutions. Guggisberg ensured the release of the Asante chief, Prempeh Kweku Duah, who had been exiled to the Seychelles Island for twenty-eight years by the British government, demonstrating he had great respect for African native institutions. The annual Report of the Gold Coast Colony, 1923-24, shows Guggisberg established the Achimota College to provide secondary schooling, technical education and teacher training. The record also indicates that he ensured the employment of many Gold Coasters in the Civil Service. The primary document on The Founding of the Korle Bu Hospital shows Guggisberg built the Gold Coast Hospital at Korle Bu in 1923 to train future African doctors. It is worthwhile to state without equivocation that, Guggisberg believed in the potentials and capabilities of the Gold Coasters, promoted African interests and simultaneously, protected African traditions.

Start Time

16-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 10:00 AM

Room Number

304

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Subtype

Grad/Comp Orals

Presentation Category

Art and Humanities

Faculty Mentor

Brian Maxson

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Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 10:00 AM

Did the Colonial Governor, Frederick Gordon Guggisberg promote Africanization in the colonial history of the Gold Coast?

304

Many scholars have downplayed the role of the colonial administration to the promotion and development of African interest, capabilities and involvement during colonialism. In this paper, I argue that Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg promoted Africanization in the Gold Coast from 1919 to 1927. I am not attempting to promote Eurocentric perspective, but to demonstrate that, in the colonial history of Ghana, Guggisberg was the ‘primus inter pares’ for the promotion of black interest. First, Guggisberg replaced the 1916 constitution of his predecessor, Sir Hugh Clifford, with the 1925 constitution which introduced elective principles. The 1925 constitution and other evidence from colonial records indicate that, the elective principles opened the door for Africans to contest in various provinces and be elected to the legislative council. Archival records reveal Guggisberg instituted the Native Administrative Ordinance in 1927. He used the chiefs as the agents for the preservation of the native institutions. Guggisberg ensured the release of the Asante chief, Prempeh Kweku Duah, who had been exiled to the Seychelles Island for twenty-eight years by the British government, demonstrating he had great respect for African native institutions. The annual Report of the Gold Coast Colony, 1923-24, shows Guggisberg established the Achimota College to provide secondary schooling, technical education and teacher training. The record also indicates that he ensured the employment of many Gold Coasters in the Civil Service. The primary document on The Founding of the Korle Bu Hospital shows Guggisberg built the Gold Coast Hospital at Korle Bu in 1923 to train future African doctors. It is worthwhile to state without equivocation that, Guggisberg believed in the potentials and capabilities of the Gold Coasters, promoted African interests and simultaneously, protected African traditions.