Government 2,Nov/Dec 2015

Question 8

Outline five demands of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA)..

Observation

This was a popular question and well attempted by most of the candidates. The performance of the candidates who answered it was good as they really understood its demands. However, those who failed were only listing their points instead of explaining them. The candidates were expected to give the following points as answers to the question:

            (i)         The establishment of a federal system of administration for the four British                        West African            colonies.
(ii)        The establishment of a West African House of Assembly (WAHA) whose                          members were to be drawn from the legislative councils of member colonies.
(iii)       Electoral reforms with 50% of members elected should be Africans.
(iv)       The establishment of a West African Court of Appeal (WACA) to replace the                    British Privy Council in London.
(v)        The establishment of a British West African University (BWAU) for the four                     member colonies.
(vi)       Improvement in the quality of education at pre-tertiary levels.
(vii)      Provision of health and sanitary facilities.
(viii)     Africanization of the civil service.
(ix)       The enstoolment and deposition of chiefs to be left for the local people to                          manage.
(x)        The creation of municipal councils with about 75% African majority
(xi)       The establishment financial institutions for member colonies.
(xii)      A reduction in the domination of and monopolization of the commerce sector by expatriates;
(xiii)     The repatriation of Syrians and Lebanese.

            (xiv)     Appointment of Africans as judges and magistrates.