The Proposed Constitution of Ghana Presented By the Secretary Of State for the Colonies to Parliament by Command of Her Majesty February 1957

Abstract

In 1954 a new constitution was introduced in the Gold Coast which granted virtually full internal self-government. Later that year an organised Opposition movement emerged and during the following months it became apparent that there was a difference of view within the count ry about the desirable constitution fo r the country on its attainment of independence. Towards the end of September 1955, Sir Frederick Bourne, K .C.S .l. C.I.E., was appointed independent Constitutional Adviser at the request of the Gold Coast Government. He had talks in all parts of the country and published his recommendations in December 1955 . In February 1956 the Gold Coast Government convened a round table conference (subsequently known as the Achimota Conference)to discuss the Bourne Report. This conference recommended the adoption of the Bourne Report with minor modifications. The Opposition felt unable to co-operate with Sir Frederick Bow-ne or to participate in the Achimota Conference. In April 1956 the Gold Coast Government published a White Paper containing their' own constitutional ' proposals for Gold Coast independence