Introduction
All
these grievances and frustrations led to the creation of a new political party,
the UGCC which became the first political party in the country. It brought all
Ghanaians together against colonial rule. The UGCC was different from the ARPS
and the Youth Movement. The UGCC was formed at Saltpond on 4th
August, 1947. The leading members were senior lawyers, highly educated persons
and big businessmen. The top officials were George Alfred Grant, the
Chairman; and Dr. J. B Danquah, along with R.S. Blay, a lawyer, Vice
Chairman and R.A Awoonor Williams, also a lawyer, as the treasurer. Other
leading members were Edward Akuffo Addo, J. W. De Graft Johnson,
Obetsebi Lamptey, Kobina Kessie, Ako Adjei, all lawyers; E. A.
W. Ofori Atta, a graduate teacher and John W. Tsiboe,
proprietor of a newspaper, the Ashanti Pioneer.
Reasons for the formation of UGCC
1. The
1946 constitution gave only 5 seats to the educated
nationalists while the
chiefs were given 13 seats. The educated elite felt that they had been cheated,
since they were more qualified to take over the administration from the
British.
2. The
businessmen were not happy with the restrictions on trade by the colonial
government. They were also against the behaviour of European and Asian firms
had monopolized trade in the country. Timber and mining concessions were
granted to Whites against Ghanaians.
3. Another
factor was discrimination against Ghanaians in the civil service. While
Europeans received top appointments, Ghanaians with the same or better
qualifications were rejected. They only served as messengers, labourers,
cleaners and critical assistants.
4. The
plight of the Ex-Service men also led to the formation of the UGCC.
Aims of the UGCC
1. The
party's aim was to ensure that by all legitimate and constitutional means the
direction and control of government should pass into the hands of the people
and their chiefs in the shortest possible time.
2. To
ensure that persons elected to represent the people and their natural rulers
(traditional leaders) on the legislative council be elected by reason of their
competence and not otherwise.
3. To
protest against the 1946 Burns constitution which gave limited number of seats
to the educated elite
4. To
serve as a political platform for Africans to express their grievance
The UGCC remained conservative and moderate
and was supported mainly by the chiefs and elders, the professional people and
the discontented private businessmen. The party soon began to spread, and the
need arose for a full-time secretary to look after its affairs. Kwame Nkrumah,
who had been outside the country for 12 years and was then in London, was
invited to become Secretary General upon the recommendation of Ako Adjei.
Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast in December 1947 to take up the secretary
position of the UGCC.
This
event was an important turning point in the history of the UGCC and the
country. It boosted the party and provided a focal point for radical political
organization. Nkrumah had certain qualities and abilities which enabled him to
captivate the people. He had read extensively and knew the nature and effect of
colonialism on colonial peoples. He was convinced that independence could be
won only by organizing the masses and the youth. He had always lived a simple
life, unlike most of the UGCC leaders. Because of these qualities, Nkrumah was
able to talk to ordinary people all over the country, endure the long and
tedious travelling schedule, the bad food and uncomfortable sleeping conditions
which his work involved. The young people who had been estranged from the
highly educated leaders, were looking for a new type of leadership, which
Nkrumah was in a position to provide.
Nkrumah began to organize rallies and address
the people throughout the country. His oratory drew huge crowds to the rallies.
Soon Nkrumah extended the activities of the UGCC beyond the colony, where it
had been centered before his arrival, to the Asante and the Northern
Territories.
Achievements of UGCC
1. The
party became so popular that by 1948 about 209 branches had been opened
throughout the country. This helped to raise national awareness and helped the
people to understand the colonial situation and how everybody was to contribute
to the attainment of independence.
2. The
party was able to bring the educated elite both in the Diaspora and on the
continent together to step up the struggle to end colonialism
3. The
UGCC became a platform where the grievances of the Africans were articulated.
4. The
leadership of the party was able to take advantage of the 1948 riots to
accelerate independence process.
5. It established a newspaper called ‘the Talking Drums’ for political education of the people.
Failures of the UGCC
1. The
UGCC failed to win self-government for the people through legal and
constitutional means.
2. The
party was not organized as a mass political party. It concentrated its efforts
within the educated elite and also branches were opened mainly in cities and
towns neglecting the rural folks
3. The
absence of Nkrumah also crippled the organizational ability of the UGCC.
Nkrumah was seen as the driving force in enlisting the support of the masses to
the cause of the UGCC. The party therefore came back to lack a broader support
base.
4. Moreover,
the UGCC was in disagreement with Kwame Nkrumah over strategy, ideology and the
timing of independence. This development led to the resignation of Kwame
Nkrumah, its energetic secretary, to form his own party. This affected the
UGCC’s organization and support base.
Past Question
· List
any three leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (WASSCE 2021)
· Identify four reasons for the formation of the UGCC. (NOV/DEC 2016)
Click on the link below to watch a documentary on the UGCC.
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