Few candidates attempted this question and they actually highlighted the reasons for the European colonization of West Africa and scored high marks in it.

However, a few weak candidates deviated from the demands of the question as stated in the Marking Scheme.  They presented the White as if they came to liberate West Africans.  Candidates that fell victim of this lost substantial marks.  The overall candidates’ performance in the question was good.

The very good candidates gave some of the following reasons:

-    they were in search of new markets for legitimate trade;
-    extension of cultural heritage e.g. The French wanted to extend their self acclaimed rich culture toAfrica    hence their policy of assimilation;
-   to provide security for their traders, trade routes and workers;
-   to halt slave trade and slavery;
-   to find outlets for surplus capital, etc.