UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO VOLTA DAM PROJECT Vol. 1 .. ,-- • FROM ~ .- :: rO THE DEPARTIIIENT OF STATE. WASHINGTON. AIR POUCH PRIORITY 58 rEF : For Dept. Uoc Only b UBJECT: Volta River Scheme. R OCT E 4 C D " There are enclosed four copies each of two sets (Nos. 1 apd.2) TIti.* of Volta River Circular, prepared by the local government, concerning the INFO Volta River Scheme, which it is felt will be of interest to the Department T REP and other interested U.S. Government agencies. The issuance of such cir- I NEA* culars (considered 8tri~ confidential by the British) has now been sus- o OLI* pended and t.he Consulate has reason to believe that it will become increas- NE ingly difficult to continue to obtain information of interest in regard to lAG the Scheme. However, the enclosure to the despatch under reference, which N ECA is regarded locally as secret and most important (obtained or~y through F FRB skillful maneuvering bY' the Consul), and enclosures to this despatch should o NSRB provide valuable data tor the Department and the other agencies. TAR FPC* Alao enclosed are four copies of a local. Government press release, entitl~d The Volta River Project, a statement on the Volta Scheme made to the mi Legislative Assemb~ on last August 21 by the Ministerial Secretar,y to the Minister of Developnent, copy of a newspaper article from the Ashanti Times, September 11, entitled "Halcrow's Report Will Support Nkrumah's Faith.n With regard to paragraph five of the latter news article, dealing with . the West African AluminiUlU Company, Ltd., attention 18 made to the Consulate's • despatch no. 106, of this date, outlining certa.in:tacts and figures in regard to the said concern.. ~ ~ ~,? l! J!J --iJ/J/ 17 0'J~1 {' £ ~J Gif . .. /~J/j , ,H,4 If1manBloom ~~ / ut!/~ Am~,r. ~•• ca,n ,.. ,consul. /;_ _ j Enclosures:Vl. Four copies Volta River .·' V(7VV- 'I Circular No.1 ··. · · ~ Vj 2. Four copies Volta River ~ t)1~ 1/ Circular No.2 . (; ../); -J -r/3. Preas Release (foUr copies) r Ul P.A3 V 4. Copy of Statement on Volta Scheme tu'( / , <) / made to Legislative Assembly - August 21, 1951. ~~V \' S. Copy of newspaper article from A.hanti T~es, Sept. lX, 1951 I 0 CoW to Lagos. ("') ,-....i. ~ J.R.Bartelt. Jr./jab .1 ... ~~~~. . •• I. . . .. ~ ~'!m.A~A TI O N TIME ...... REPORTER(S) • L.. __• • .... • • •• • • • .. et.-C, ~ . /\ ..... . J ACTION :COfY. ';"w wDf:PkJJ'I'l".tENT. ~J!:sll\~f: :': I 11 i '\I--':b i 'U The action olfice must return this permanent record copy to DC/R flIes with an endorsement of action taken, .. ~ .. ... .- .'.". '" ...",' . • ..~.. • .. : - •.- ..-.. -1 .. .. ... .. .. .. . . .. ( Cla4f·kat;o7.• . ••.•.. • .. .• .. ..• . ..• ..• .l) . ... .... .. .. ..~ ...••..• ..• •..•. .• -w ~ .. IEnclosure No.4 to Despatch No.105, dated September 29, 1951, I I from the American Consulate, Accra, Gold Coast. I STATEHENT ON THE VOLTA SCHEME rrlADE TO THE IE GISLATIVE ASSEIvIBLY 'ON AUGUST 21.). 1951, BY THE l'iIl'JISTERIAL SECRETARY TO THE E[NISTER 01r DEVELOPI,m;HT. The Consultants - Sir William Halcrow and Partners - are at present compiling their final report which is expected before the end of this month. Full consideration of this report, which will take into account all expert investigation v,hich has been held on the various aspects of the project, is essential before Government can properly decide sush important matters as the exact site of the dam and of the harbour. 1l1eam. ... hile expert opinion, of the Consultants and O J the Canadian and- British Aluminium Companies, has stated:-. (1) That the processing and reduction of aluminiu~ by hydro- electric power from the Volta River is economically and technically possible; (2) That about 1,150,000 tons of bauxite can be processed annually into 210,000 tons of al~~inium; (3) That about 500,000 kilowatts of the electricity produced will be required for the smelter plant and a surplus of 50,000 kilowatts will be available for public use. (4) That the cost of the hydro-electric power plant, the - processing and smelter works (including working capital), a new harbour, railway extensions, resettlement and compensation will be about 1,94, millions. The main points on which technical investigations have already been made at Government's request by the Consultants are:- (1 ) The Power Potential of the Volta River. (2) Irrigation and Drainage based on the river Catchment Area. (3) Navigation on the river above ahd below the proposed dam site. (4 ) The problems of Transportation. (5) The distribution of .Hydro-electric Power for the reduction of aluminium ore and for other purposes. (6) The provision of Port facilities east of Accra. L : ~ . ..... . . .." · ... · ··.. . . .. . . o •• 1 '" . .. .. ... . ."'. .. .. · · £ .. .. .. .• .•. ··· ..... . . 0 .. • .. 0 .. 0 0 • 0 .... •• • ~~''-''''- ... .. • • • • • • . ·• ( Ct.....!.i. caJ,o,,). • • . . . .. .•. • •• . • • •• .. . . .•. • • · .• .. • .. •• • • ·· • ·• • • • ••• •• ... I - 2 - I Enclosure No.4 to Despatch No .105, . dated September 29, 1951, from the Amerj.can Consulate, Accra, Gold Coast. !Jote: The results of all investigations maue by 1:Jest African Aluminium Ltd., including the investigation of a harbour site at Ada have been made available.to Govern- ment's Consultants. The Consultants, however, in their preliminary report entertained some doubts as to t he suitability in all respects of ADA as a port. They therefore recommended that an alternative possible site at TEI\~ should be fully investigated so that Government might have full opportunity to select the site considered likely to prove of the greater corr.;;10n benefit. In conse- quence there is being carried out:- (7) A Hydrographic Survey at Tema. Further investigations are also proceeding on:- (i) Geological Survey of the proposed d~~ sites, . (ii) Topographical and Geological Survey of a harbour site at Tema. (iii) Road and Rail requirements of the new Port. (iv) Aerial Survey of the Reservoir Area. (v ) Ground Survey of the Reservoir Area. Ivleanwhile many of the more general repercussions of this gigantic project on the life of the country can begin to be examined and in order that there shall be no delay in putting the fin~lly agreed plan into action, there has been considerable activity already along the following lines:- (1) The problem of resettlement of the population of the area likely to . be inundated. (2) The Senchi-Ajena Road. (3) The maintenance of Hydrological data on the Volta River (4) A detailed Topographical Survey of Kpong Area. (5) A Soil Survey of the Accra Plains (6) An Entomological Survey of the Volta River valley has recently been completed. (7) The preliminaries of Town Planninb new townships. (8) The reconstruction of Communicatio"!s conse cuent upon inundation. . L . · ··.. . .. .. . . ... .. .. .. ... ..~ ··T o·-. 7. -• ··-.; .- ~·: r·.7.· . -. .r ·~.r. ·~..:.:... .....:... ...: . : • . • .. • • .:. .'; - .;;-. -••'- .- ::o;r""'CI'a,..,'1.".'.r,.- a-f,J. Tin "} -• ....... -- .-..-.1, . ... " ... .. . ... . - 3 - Enclosure No.4 to Despatch No.105, dated September 29, 1951, from the American Consulate, Accra, Gold Coast. (9) The requirements of labour for the project. (10) The training of Af~ican Artisans. TI1e present attitude of Government is:- (1) That while members' views are appreciated and will be noted, no firm statements can be made pending full consiaeration of the Consultants' final report and that- ( 2) On receipt and consideration of this report the vlhole matter will have to have full discussion by the House , but that meanwhile - Government desires the support of the House in a policy of vigorous pursuit of the essential preliminary moves - in other 1-lOrds, general agreement that the Gold Coast is to have a Volta Scheme. L .= ~ . .... . .. . • • .• a. • · . ··.1 · • · . .. . ·· ·. ·· ..• . . ·· ··.... · ...• . ·. • · • • . ··· • • • ···•• · ·· ... . ... . .• . ... ... . ...... . .. .. ........... . ... Enclosure No.5 to Despatch No.105, dated September 29, 1951~ from the American Consulate, Accra, Gold Coast. HALCROT. .l 'S REPORT '.iILL SUPPORT NKRlJ1,'-AH' S FAITH The Ashanti Times, September 11, 1951. The moment for a final decisi on on the Volta develcpment project i n t he Gold Coa s t may be approach ing . Sir l!illiam Halcrcw and Partners, the consulting engineers, called in by the Gold Coast Government to make a teclmical estimate of the potentialities of the scheme, has virtually completed its report, and is expected to sub~it it in t he very near fut ure. On the political side, Hon, KVlame Nkrumah, Leader of Government Lusiness in the Gold Coast, has virtually committed himself ~nd t is par tners to the scheme without awaiting the techni'CBl. report. Among other statements, during his last visit to London Hon. IG"rurnah anllounce d that the Volta proj e ct vIas the terri tory's "top priori ty de-relopment scheme" and would be carried out on funds raised by floating a loan. The scheme envisages the harnessing of hydro-electric power ~rom ~le Volta River on t he Gold Coast for the processing and reductim of aluminium. The existence of t he necessary bauxite deposits has already beeD e s tablished. . Concessions are held by \1e st African Aluminium, a Gold Coast Company in wh ich t he principal shareholder is !~glo- Transvaal Conso- - lidated Inve stment CO::1pany, British Aluminium Ltd. and Aluminium Ltd.- tile latter a Canadian company - also have intere sts in the venture. It is consi dered virtually certain by well-informed circles in the City of London t hat up to a point Sir William Halcrow's report will support Hon. Nkrumah's faith in the project. That is to say - the techniG al engineers are expected to confirm that the 8cheme is economically and t echnically possible. L ;1· . ... . ·. . ... ·.. .· .. . • . • • ..• 1 ·· .•• ... . ... u • .• .. •• . ·• • ·· • · .. · · .. • 0 .. ·• .. 0 0 ... • . ... • 0 •• 0 .. I \;100 .. ... .. ·• · . .•. . . . .. . .:( Cldi..f..T.f . d~.on. ) • • • ·• .•. •• ... .. ... . . ... . . .. . . . ·•• ··• . . . •• . . . - 2 - .1 Enclosure No.5 to Despatch No.105, dated September 29, 1951, from the Ameri can Consulate, Accra, Go l d Coast. About 1,150,000 tons of bauxite can be processed a nnua l ly into 210,000 tons of a l uminium, fo r whi ch 500,000 kilowatts of electricity would be required f or the smelter plant alone. A surplus of 50,000 kilowatts of electri city would be available for public use. The cost of the hydro-electri c power plant, the process ing and smelter works, including Horking capital , a new harbour and compensation - to displaced villagers or for l oss of fishing and water rights - has be en estimated at around ~94,000,OOO • . Ivlany experts predict that the actual cost ",'hen it comes t o carry out the work may be considerably higher. Assuming that the predictions about the Halcrow report are accurate, one big point will still remain to be settled - despit e fhe confident predictions of Hon. Nkrumah: h ow to raise the ne cessary cash. Some - but only a small proportion - would very probably be advanced by the Gold Coast Government. The intere sted private enterprise companies would undoubtedly be willing to put up much mor e in certain circumstances; they would be likely to demand, h owever, very sound guarantees about the future of their investments. Some recent developments in the Gold Coast and reports- a ccurate or otherviise - of the political attitude towards overseas capital in the Gold Co ast have not inspired confidence in business ci r cles. Vlith the very precent reminder from Abadam of how the most cast- iron guarantees,even when willingly negotiated through such an inter- national body as the old League of Nations, can go astray, is making British busines s circle s chary of inve sting mo ney in projects whi ch they fear may be seized from under them as soon as their money begi ns to show a return • . Some of the sa~e objections appl y to floating a public loan to financ e the Volta scheme. But on the favourable si de from t h e Gold L .d .. .0 . ·... . • . .. .. .. . .. . .I I . · . : .... ·· ..... . .. • • • · • .. • ·• • . · ·• •·· · · . .. - J - Enclosure No.5 to DespCAtch No.105, dated .; ptemher 29, 1951, from the Ameri call Consulate, Accra, Gold Coa st. Co~stts pOint of view, it is worth recallinG that reccut Colonial loans in the City of London have been over-subzcrio~d. Even ·.. .' hen the financial difficul tie s have been solved, all may not be plain sailing for the Volta scheme: it is bounci to require large quantities of electrical machinery, cement &nd technical manpower which are nov; at a premium in all parts of the \;orld. In fact , although t he Halcro,,'! report may '" e 11 ;i ve t he ;reen light to Gold Coast planners, they r1ay find that it is only the beginning of their actual problems . The report should, however, demonstrate that the difficulties ere ~ ell worth the effort of overcoming ' for results ",Lich can bring so much benefit to t!:e Gold Coast. L .:~ o .. ., . .. . o • 0 0 . 0 ·.. . ... I ·. • ~ ~ . . 0 .t. 0 • ·• • · ·. .• . . ... ··· . ... .. . .. ~ . • UNCLASSIFIED. I;, 0f." UU NUl rypl:. IN I HI!:. "sPAf..t~ • . • • • (Classi5catiotll •• . .. ~ ~ •• ,845k.2614/11-85l FOREIGN S E R V I:CE! , DES ~ A l' e H. " ~ : . _J~~..........,..-------.t..t-..~ '10M American Consulate, · ACCRA. 15tr- DE5P . NO. DATE THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON. ::. -~ ~P:o&iHv ~' Ef? o q """ . PR ~QRIT1 . _, / ~j,.+:/i....- ,""''':'' :/ "'/;- 2 Q..) / . 58 EF Consulate's Despatches nos. 4.0? and 105, dated s~_rr~'p195~ and For Dept. September 29, 1951, respecti,j~ ~-- M[ ~}7 i Uae Only UBJECT : R Gold Coast Harbor Sit e~ at Twna. , ()~ / KOV /. j ' r '~ '~ I / E '-CkV -, ~ ..... <.....r...:.~ - ;' ~/ 14 c D ;. 01 -y,/..!1;' ') \:; {Cd :>~:" <- A NEA k -, Yp c INFO The local Secretary of Development has just announced that T REP the Govern~ent has reached a decision that the new harbor for the Gold DCR Coast will be sited at Tema. It will be remenbered that the site of a 0 OLI harbor had been narrowed down, within the past few months, to the two N E alternatives of Tema and Ada. The final decision, which is most COMM llaportant as regards the Volta River Scheme, was made after long and N IN exhaustive consideration. It might be said, however, that it was F NSRB practically a foregone conclusion that Tema, for common-sense reasons~ 0 TAR would be the choice. With the decision having been made, and ~~th the FPC referenced despatches at hand, the Department and other interested agencies might more fully visualize the' outcome of the Volta River bs Scheme as regards the technical and economic aspects. .,t:.. c:I 0 ........ 01 ::d A 0 • 0 !::l r0 r+ ()) '1 CJ )-J A >:.:j t-'. "- )-..l (!) 504.1 til I Copy to Lagos. OJ 01 .w. 01 -:::r .--:::: ,....., ~ u uo,· : :; :z: ~ ~ a:: - ~ Q) - / -:::r u U) r _ _~ OC'l - ~ e::: .:!. ::::- D C> L ' ~ 2 LJ .~ a:: c tr\ L -0- J.R.Bartelt, Jr./jab .. PREPARATION TIME ....• REPORTER ( 5 ) ACTION ~COt>'Y - Dt:PAIffMENT Qr S7 Pi7E The action oMce must return thls permanent record copy to DCIR HIes wIth an endorsement ot action taken. I RESTRICTED DO NOT TYPE IN THIS SPACE (Classification) .8.4.5 k.2614/11-2751 FOREIGN S E R V I ~. ~ : . . .. . ... »1 :;'S P.. A T: C:H •• .. .. ...... . . . ROM American Consulate, ACCRA. ~JoveT:'ber 27 J 1951. DATE TilE DEPARTMENT OF STA TE. WAS1IlNGTON. AIR POUCH PRIORITY 58 EF Consulate's Despatches Hos. 102, 105, 106, and 150, dated September 27, For Dept. Septe!11ber 29, September 29, and November 8, 1951, respectively. Uoe Only UBJECT: Development of River Volta Basin. R DEC E 3 C D J,.CTION A CORM * There is attached copy of a "Report on Developlnent .of the River C Volta BasL" II similar to the report submitted in the first despatch T INFO under reference. REP 0 NEA* It is extreDely difficult, at this time, to obtain copies ot the N OLI* encl osed report. However, the Consulate 1iill provide the Department E w-ith addit ional copies as soon as possible . j1rUJ / -' c/ o j,J-sli ,;vi"1/:Z:: N fp,v r,sr AJ!.f: M..E. Nr.· .'O.f'. :.S.T.~.~.E. .: . : The action office must return th1s permanent record copy to DC/R flies with an endorsement of action taken. " Air Pouch:-) , , 'l UNCLASpIFIED " ' DO NOT TYPE" IN'TAI:; :;""c.r. ~ - I,~I;~I~~ s~~'!rc~ .(~C~i~ ~ ~ ~). .. ... .r :l~:~~~~.1.: .:[: . iv~~45k.2614/5 -155~ J ... .. . .... , FROM American Consulate, Accra 36 / ~J DE~ NO, ../ TO : TilE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. WASHINGTON. May 15 J 1952 DATE REF : --- 5t) ACTION DEPT, I For Dept. COMrvl* N REP EUR NEA* OLI* E (joe Only REC'D F OTHER el 0 MAY 17 AG* - MSA FRB IN* NSRB TAR FPC SUBJECT : Transmitting Copies of Governme:r;lt Statement on Volta River Project. ~ ~ (;7// u.w m t~ S:~1"' 7C I ,~ Lc ,I' J- - ~/' ,-J)/Vt/ }~ -- I '/".J r) '/ / oirf OA dwv '?'pv" ~ I - , ."';I rn: ~-v,...:::. ' I .... William E. Rg~~~, .Ir./gp I UNCLASSIFIED I \:0 ACTION '=:UPl' ·1)E~~R~M.EN~ OF S1~.A,TE ~', :. ':J ~ ~~ The action office must return this _pel m&.nent t ec.)ra copy to DC;R 111". wit!} a~ ~l}do}'s"]l}eJlt !7t action taken. I t! .. ..... •• .. ... Th for going matter"" re the subj ct of a de a '1 L gL>l tiv A sembly on April 25, 19.52, an he b 5'S of otlon ntroduc d by the Prime ¥dnister. Copie~ of t tioD r encios d. Although the Prime Minister appeal d for con 1d ration of the port project on a n tional. and ".o~­ p rti an" basis, lively objections to the port !!ite were . rai ad by member of the A s81IJbly who advocated Ada as ~be location for the proposed harbor. It was evident that thE d bate was in some degree influenced by persons fitllwcially tnt r sted in the Ada locality. The motion to adopt the Gov rom nt statement on the Volta River Project , which io- cludes the harbor site at Terna , was, bo~~verJ carried b. 'oice vat. This office will of course continue to report on the variou aspects of the Volta project as furt er · ll\.aterial becom s available. ~~ ~YlUuZ. C~o~~~ -./l Ameri can C on suI No. 500 Enclosures: 1. Sta~ ment on Development I of the Volta Riv r Basin (5 copi 5) I 2. Motion by Prime Minister (5 eopi 8) -Copy to London Co y to Lagos [ - ~ ""'~ UN~.. A. .. ~i''..'..I. ED Qep,artlnt:Qt Qf s.ta~e • fII. •• , . r ," !OICATI. 0 . 06808 COllfC'f ! QtAIGE TO CONFIDOOTAI. SEtURITY INFORMATION ClaJsijiCt1tion REG EIYED 0 CIT SENT TO; Amconsul ACCRA. /S ACCEPTIINCE UNIT AUG 19 3 ~ 1 PM '52 PI!; _~ . :5 :,(. / DWI' has ~D unconfirmed report from private !MER business source that .fol ! / - Reynolds Metals and Anaconda Copper contemplating approaching AFR MINS Gold Coast GOVT direct through intermediaries Horace Mann Bond PRES Lincoln Univ ersit y and ./ Louis E. Detwiler ~na.ncial consultant RE participation in ~olta River project in some way. Hersliey Chocolate CO also said to be interested in developing direct relations with AFR MINS in conjunction other two COS. Source stated these interested groups intended consult GOVT DEPTS here. =~ t-- - < :" PIS cable an;y INFO you able obtain confidentially and discreetly to ~ -, ;;' stantiate this report. ~ -~ ~.::; 011 ~ A-~ •N 'J5-BRUCE i Q);:;( -a.(b Did. Desired » (Offices Only) ~~ I! ailed by, NEl:AF:HFeld:rad 8/18/52 Leo G. C .~..... (J I. - J "'t. REPRODUCTION mM. ..." US COPY, IF CLA'SSIf:IEiC: IS' PROHIBITED. I ACTION COpy TELEGRAPH BRANCH --- \ ; i " ~ 2 CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY INFORMAtION~ ~ ot ion/ Control: 9244 Ree'd: August 21, "RA FROM:Accra 10:37 a.m. nfo TO: Secretary of State ~UR ! NO : 31 ~ August 21, 11 a.m. )c L )LI :rA Report mentioned DEPTEL 15, August 19 appears related activities Belcher and Carter subject my letter to DUrnan of August 13. "'.! C") t:1 Be l~p.er understood connected with financial firm at 10 Wall ~ ~ ~ Street ~ New York!, Carter with firm which handles public re- ~ q !:d lations for Lincoln University of which he is a graduate. ~m Both have hinted they repre~ent important American interests. ~ Carter returned US end July to consult his principals. Also 01 expressed intention discuss his activities with govt agencies /\ in Washington. • The 2 men have told member Oonsulate staff that they are pro- moting housing scheme behalf Fullana Corp and confidentially, that they wish acquire rights in manganese. Have made visits Takoradi area and held discussions agent Farrell Lines. No (rpt no) indication obtained that they concerned Volta River Pr-oject. As both men closely aSSoCiated with Nkrumah and : Gbedemah any business propo~als they may offer would doubtless be directed the~e ministers. 01 COLE I\) JEF:WS i G) ~~~C/) i> o~ •• :'~ 2: ~ ''""'l rTl ..-0 Cj ~ -""1 r'l P ~ • 2: ~~ -~ .J<;;:. • iTl s: H '~::U [!J ~ 'ttt:~:r ~_. ; " ' [~ ~ \-xl " • I) • • • • • • •• .. • . 8> • lit •• •• •• 1"'V~ ,......:, • • Q • • ••• • ••• . " .......-- CONFID~'1'¥.!-, ~~E~URJ:!Y .{~FJ~!1~A~O~ ::. ~.: 1(EPROOOCTION FRaoI THI S PUMANENT IECORD COPY . . . • COPY, IF CLASS I FI ED, IS • ThIs copy must be returned to DC/R central files wIth notation of actIOn taken. PROHI SITED T:LEGRAM '~~;~~ :~,~~f~ ·· P.~art1l1t:~ ·p £ ! Starer.~. . ; , • 't.~. ~ ~ ?.. __ ~ ...-! _ : : : ~ • • • • I):_ _ ! ~! .) ~ ~ , 3 IPICATE: 0 COLLEa .... - - ."..;, ~ .;t.,a- ••••• • ••• .~ ~ CHARGE TO CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY INFORMATION Classification 5-/ 7' ;. ig RE r . EI Ii ED DC / T r . - SENT TO .' Amconsul ACCRA, GOLD COAST "::2-fI ~?IJt_l /~-;)0 1 ," " - . C ') T , . 1- '- I! L I , -" ll_ " ,_,, 1 I ~' ..' . / . /.~ ;~t)P" >E1' 15 6 15 PM" rig in DEPT I~~icates Julius Maxwell Belcner and William Beverly Car er, Jr. principals West AF Development CCRP. (URTEL 31 AUG 21). WADC chartered Penn July 14, 1952 with authorized capital $200,200. Presently process organization engage,: activities involving ECON devel~ent West AFrica. H83 no bank account. Dun and Bradstreet has no record Full~ CORP. Belcher accountant and tax; ~ .; tc.., consultant arrested 1949 issuing worthless check but prosecution withdrawn. ~' Q) t ~ i Carter graduate Lincoln UNIV now partner public relations firm. ~ ~ • :i: I\) ~ 0)0:. ..a. ,;.rQ,::,,~i: .. :t ~ ...~ r 6!.:'lI!S.:2.ysis by Standard Ore and Alloy Corp. 120 Wall St • .'J N~/.,..' :\crk er U;;,,~1ted States -Govt agency. He does not wish c.usJ1Cls~ pa.l"G'!Il looa,l pestal auths since law proh1bits unlicensed };:r' sr.ec t in£;. If Bu~j;ect c:-' ir"terest GoVt should conceivably agree transmit. Pls in.stroo'.; by teleg!'aph . COLE • I\) ()) ~ '\, 1 ' , "- , (, U) I I\) o 01 I\) () i § I::t:' o ~ ~ ~ (D GONFID.!NTlAL SECURITY INFORMATION ~ ~ S: i5\t; ~ _.. ~~ J~ . # ••• •• •• • ••• •••• \( ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~.. • ••• •• . -.JV t-;a. ............ • ..,.. ( • . , ..; ~.. • •• •• •• \ REPRODUCTION t-- 1M1, '9 . - - •• • ••• ••••• • ••• '0 . COPY, IF CLASS2)IED, I~ - This copy mllSt be returned to DC/R central files with notation of action taken - PRO" I alTED _ ·' . ) ..; TO: Amconsul ACCRA, GOLD COAST, WEST AFRICA ;:<1- ., 1>'\..1.~.,..,~~,\~-9Jt,,: :'Z>~ ~ To'. "A_ "' ~>~4i';;i . .,~,~- - 0' <;, (_ I J, - ::..~ -; :'J?1~:~::r-" ~ t ~YI; I ~ II r"-'- ~V_. "'-~:' ~ ~~ ~ - ... -Z- , • "" " ;.: 1': In your discretion, accept small (about L135.) ore sample fo trans- mission via air pouch and analysis by Atom Energy Colllllission. (URTEL 46 ' SEPl' 20 )~ ~:,It~i:~Y--.~ ~. ."\ If accepted, samples SHLD be transmitted in accordance .- . ;. 20, 1948, 8:3, A.M. and NOV 16, 19!)O, 2:0, P.M • . :;- . , . Telegraphic transmission and classjfication approved bYI R. Gordon Arneson Ed~:\ ~.&'iJf~A \ ... REPRODUCTION FROll'THIS ' COPY, IF CLASSIF!!!r IS PROHIBITED. C -~,- , ,t{i or thru intermediaries for use implementing Volta project s~nce ?o RPT no request ~y for such loan or -grant REX;D. (URTEL 52 OCT 2) Two aven~es' approach open Gold Coast GOVT if interested. EXIlvlBANK WLD con':'''-__ _. _ . . ' . -- '-_ - , ''''''- -. .'., ,'- :-- - , t.. ' ;..,..- -:,;r' ~ .- ~~ ~~ sider request for loan within limits statutory AUTH and financial resource~ al ~ f- - (J) c+ :z:I u presentation specific proposals. 'MSA might be ab~e FIN certain features p:o~t ~ ~ • , - - J. " - -" . .J ,"" .~ •. '¥"',.. '~"'-~.'" _"_ I:., _ : J ............ "'iro ;',' -:l-., ~ ",," ~,:?i' . '!r(-' .••' .... "<.~ ~ under Basic Materials Program and WID consider request submitted thru BRI.T ,; ~ • ' ~~~4 ;:' Colonial Office where some discussions of Volta project have been carried on~~~;- ~ - ' - ,~ ..- CDt:: US GOVT interested procurement al~num under stockpile program for -~ne~. , . ~ , ,,- - ~..01 two or three years by which time anticipated present program plant construct~on~_g _ • f _ .... .;.:-- _,,,r- will meet US requ.ir ements under conditions of partial mobilization. Dou.b tfur.' ~~ m~ , , • "i- -a, -c therefore US GOVT WID be interested establishi ng claim eventual Gold Coast ',' c- , ~c production view time element completion Vol ta project. Possible private AMER:,f" - -a, interests WID consider speci fic proposals presented by G~ld Coast GOVT. '"-'.'~', O· . "- .. .... , I 1 .~~ .r.J: ~. \. ~:~~-.\ - I ~ .. ',,=.'-~' ~ :w. ' 0 \1) ''- l... ........... _ , ",.L 1\) ', ..... r-- .... '. t=, " k .~. _' . P·.. C. H'.,-Eo:.,,S'J{~O' N ~ t .. ~ "~.'l' ~.~~:',¥- .:~ O.;',:~ , , ." ~ ' ~ . ~~ 06' Telegraph ic tronsmiS5ion and NEA:AF: class ification app,oved by. John E. Utter , Clear8d in Draft with: EXIMBANK - Mr. Sau~ ~ED - Mr. Smith MSA - Mr. -: , ~ r~ _ MMS - Mr. Pincus ~~ r ' ~ ·( '.r ~C ) . ',; .'-. . _ - sIS ~ ~ SECRET SECuarr:y ~~4TJON REPRODUCTION FROM THIS(. {fl,:)? f'.lA. C l d S. J f' c .. ; IO .J V COPY, IF CWSIFIED, IS QC 1 7 \.. . ~ - PROHIBITED. f ICOMING ,TELEGRAM . I ~ ~CPfi:r:fin~t:p.f ~tar~:' eo o • • • ~~~ 01 ~~~ ~ ~~, ~~ " ~ ~~~ ."" SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION C t I , 837 uV ,)~l ~""" ::s on ro , r" ~,.. -_ Rec'd: October 2:-, 2; FROM: Accra .' 12 : 06 p. m • ~ :-J z: fo r~~ , '1 r."l AE TO: Secretary of State n :t> ICL NO: 52, October 2, 10 a.m. , .:::p !L ~~~~TY II JR Basery Hayford advises Detwiler sought him out in New YI rk ~VY regarding scheme for financing Volta River project which United D States ~ovt allegedly backing with view obtaining aluminum product i on ~r use US industry. . (, ~i) N. K. Rurnai wishes head off any illfounded promotional venture. While grateful info DEPTEL 25, September 23 he believes categorical reply following question would help him dispose,-of matter, does ! n t;< US Govt contemplate extending loan or grant either di~ectly or . ~ ~ thru intermediaries for use implementing Volta project'1 If .7 :N ) feasible Dept comment respecting allegation US interested in ~ establishing some claim on eventual Gold Coast aluminum production~ could serve to clarify Prime Minister's thinking this subject. en .~,. WId appreciate reply earliest since Bond and Detwiler understood A about to emplane for Accra. COLE . ",.: ... SW:BK en I\) :z rl-S , 0 1':] I -< ~,.... 1- -'~ \ .:,' c:..> \ - f;j ~- : ~ \ to It; L "'j c.n ~ i '" ..., .::1: ~,:~ J J J ) t''' ) J J I PERMANENT I ) J' -I J ' I J ~ ~ ~) ) J REPROOOCTION FR<»4 THIS SECRET SECURITY INFO{tMATT9N, COPY, IF CLASSIFIED IS lECORD COPY - This copy must be returned to DC/R central files with notation of action taken - ' ,. 1. . !boa ~'"\: Or ~tat. ret:n to' ~ D~nt'. teiegraa -< , " Bo. 2~~ 23. 1952. &DC! CIOloa •• copiea ot d_tIJ ' .. ~ .., -.-' relat1Dc to the b'aa1Bu. IUrtJ.dt1. . or Mr. Lou1.a E. D.twUer. n. ott1o. . h Char. .. h h1a di.8aret1on, 111 autbarbed to.u. aw1labl.. to 1JIe Gold. Cou~ authclr1t ie. the enclosed cOW or the > 111m u4 JIradatree~ repcrt u4 to ccrmry to th_, on a cont1dllllt1al---- bula, the nlIat.aMe or the ht_Uon cClll~ h the otheIP '~; g Ii .-l._. . , .:';.' .. ~ .' ";:.. : .~. . ' > i ' a:a ,", • r. tbe lat_tie or the om.o.r h Char. . 1~ aq be .t.t.cl l · ! .... ~t the D~t. ~ betGl"O baa MIl _lOll to bmt.t1gate ." i '? I the aotblU. . or Mr. DetwU_; the tint 1ImaIIt1pUClII va. Md. ~ h Mq 1938 h c_tiOll with Mr. DotvU. .' . prcaotiCll1 at that. ts.. or a oGll"pCll"&Ue -VIed the "Iq W.st-Sa_ Ferrr CarpcratiClllO> f or fierida.- III th1II ftIIlt.ure Mr. D.twU8l' sought the support or .f:>. c" the Got .. _t or the United Statea u4 ~ the Gonruaent. or Cuba OJ e the erVIIII! that. it 1IOIJl.d 1Datra.a. t.oar1llt tratt1c betvean the A tID1t.cl Statea &lid Cuba. At. tha or Mr. Detwiler'. approache. h th1II Mtt8l', ottic8l'. ot the ~t. _ord of the &aha • .,. at BabaDa rMalled that he ___ or a Il"Gap prcaot.8l'a cel.l.1Dg t.h.aalwa the IICnbaD--AP'I"1aan c-a.le· vbo h Ootober 1937 V&l'O h BabaJa ..Jd.Dg repre• •n tatiClll8 to the Cuban Cote.-tXt that thq V&l'O prepared to 1ImaIIt traa ten to t11'ty mUllC111 dollars fer a CIODOMd_ to hal.d an axpoaltlO1l in Babazla at the _ U .. .. the tbezl t~'ng upodtiClll8 in Rev Terk cd San Franciaco. ~ report em the rerut. or th1a nr.t bmtaUgaUon rev1.ewa Mr. Dot.v1ler'. DDT nntUl'U betv.an 1924 IIIld 1938 in tho invest- .rat ._lV =~ related bwt1na. ... IlUblltant1.al.l7 tho _ ... thq _ repc:rte4 h the late.t D1Dl aDd BradJItreet. The report then ocmol.UIl• • with the tal..lCJwlng estimate of Mr. Detviler, pre-bl7 hrD1abed 117 a ored1t __c o h 11_ Yerke -z --K) .... V) III ~ I -~ f-1'1 \ ·.:.~"r, ·:.~;:: ~· .. :. ....; ':. .. '10/101 )tf if ' ". 10/23/52 -7 JCT 231952 fM r' / .. ~-"",,":;l ->OSr~· ~';;'i<>~"'·-'''·'''_''.4%·I'!'£-''5< .. .a -~ ..... .- ,-..,. ........ -.... ~- "'" -- .. -... ...,. .'." --" -',," ',,< .. ~-;~ -:...r~:~;i ;::-::, :~. ~I':; .., .. ~~~ ."-\;';:"~~~:~~ Volta River Aluminium Scheme Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by Command of Her Majesty November, 1952 LONDON HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE NINEPENCE NET Cmd. 8702 :: I., .' ,- '. •• • .. .. . .. t • ... ~ ,0.1 ': •• •• •..• •• · •. . . 0 . .•' ·.. .• • • • •• •• • • • ·• ·· ....• ..• •• •.. . • • • • 0 • • • • •• • • 0 ·•• • ·· • • • " .... .. .. '." .. , .!.II>.. ... ..' . . • ..".'... '. . .• ... . . . VOLTA RIVJJi\t: i\J.tr.~;N~V~: "St:Hf:ME: ::. ::-2~~~;~~~'~.'::?"~~1N~-?~~J.~~ SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS ,..... ' '<, ~:7.~~:;~::~~~..;.i;::;'-'.~,,~~:~:, . ~ ..~ ,,~C?~~}::.:"'.' ~'::~',~'''. _.;_-;; ;~,~_, ' ~. :,.(;:~,. (i) This White Paper sets out a scheme under which the United Kingdom ~;'-~': Government, the Gold Coast Government, and the Canadian and United Kingdom aluminium producers would develop large scale aluminium production in the Gold Coast. Under the scheme the resources of water power and bauxite in the Gold Coast would be developed to the mutual advantage of the two .... ., ',,:.'-.--. -;': ;, .:;, .~ ...- ~",~-~ "~ , countries and aluminium produced at an ultimate rate of 210,000 tons a year. . ~ ..; ;':~;~::'7~' ~;~'~":~~'~-.:;;;-.~~:;~~;:: The total capital expenditure would be about £100 million initially, rising ~ -.~-,.'- .~ - ,- ultimately to £144 million. It would be shared among the different parties. .- . . .;.., . .":;.~ ~ ~ .. .... _.' (li) The successful completion of the scheme would guarantee the United Kingdom industry additional Sterling Area supplies of aluminium at competitive prices to meet rapidly growing requirements for which it would be unwise to rely on other sources. (iii) The Gold Coast would be enabled to develop further its mineral wealth, and to create a new source of power of great potential benefit to its future social and economic progress. (iv) In principle Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom favour participation in the scheme, which would further their policy of encouraging the development of the resources of the Commonwealth as well as contributing to the raw material needs of the United Kingdom. (v) They believe the scheme to be soundly conceived but its maguitude is such that it should not be embarked upon without every practicable assurance that it can be carried through to a successful conclusion. They, therefore, propose, with the agreement of the Gold Coast Government and the aluminium producers, that a Preparatory Commission shall be set up at once to follow up the work which has been done already and to examine in greater detail the chief problems which would have to he overcome. The Preparatory Commission would be under instructions to report with all practicable speed so that final decisions could be taken as soon as possible. (vi) The cost of the Preparatory Commission would ultimately be borne on the scheme, but it will be shared between the United Kingdom and Gold Coast Governments in the first place. A Supplementary Estimate covering the cost to the Exchequer in the financial year 1952-53 will be submitted to Parliament in due course. ". . ., - .- ... ' . '. .. . " . .... .• • .4 . . . . • ' 0 •. .t . . 0 ,. .. . .' . .·. •..~ . .. ' • •.. • ..•.. • .• . .". .. .••. . 0 • . 0' • • • • • ·• ·• • ··• . ,• • ~,'- " (4: ( f .. , r r " . f t 4 ~ ... '" .. 4: f "" (I ' " ' ( f United J\.illgdom Reguire~f~ts , 9~ . "IUUl'~jufn ' : .' • • • ~ t' • I. In less than half a century aluminium has established itself as a major non-ferrous metal, and, as will be seen from Appendix J, there is every reason " ~w_':! ; '":f..:...r-~ -Y-?l,* ..... .,...,_J to expect that the demand will continue to grow rapidly. The scale of the I . increase which informed opinion expects is illustrated by the recent estimate of the Materials Policy Commission appointed by the President of the United j. :'::~~::-~'L. ·_ ___ States (the" Paley Commission ") that the consumption of aluminium in the , #' .~," .. , -. _ .... United States and the rest of the world in 1975 might be between four and ) ,,. ~ ., ' - - .. . -,. .. ~.~ ... 0 . _ __ •. _ _ five times the consumption in 1950. The Aluminium Industry Council (the - ~ :;" - ;. ..- :----:. .... representative body of the various sections of the United Kingdom aluminium industry) considers that, on a conservative estimate and on the basis that ,(.~:_::.:~>.~ :: -.. , I aluminium is available at competitive prices, United Kingdom requirements will increase at an average rate of 5 per cent. a year over the period - - . ,--. ' 1950-1960. _ . _ -_ -l ._. ... ~ . -~ .~ __ On the assumption that this rate of increase would be maintained over the full _ } ~ •• -~ ~ .... ~ f). _ ... .. , ••• ..:...:k"."'(, ... twenty-five years United Kingdom industry would require about three times ) ' .- as much aluminium by 1975 as was consumed in 1951, when consumption amounted to 316,000 tons (203,000 tons virgin metal, 113,000 tons secondary metal). There is bound to be a wide margin of error in estimates of the future \~r ~.~ . demand for a commodity like aluminium, but these figures indicate the scale of tbe potential demand for a metal which on any reasonable view will be of growing importance in the national economy. The fabricating industry in the United Kingdom has already in recent years considerably expanded its capacity which now is about 500,000 tons a year. Need for a new Sterling Area Aluminium Smelter 2. It is not too soon to be looking ahead to the sixties and seventies. It necessarily takes a long time to provide the hydro-electric and other capacity involved by a major scheme of new development. For the reasons given in Appendix I, it is impossible to rely for the full additional needs of the United Kingdom upon existing sources of aluminium. At present the United Kingdom obtains more than four-fifths of its virgin aluminium from dollar sources, and it is important that additional supplies should come as far as possible from the Sterling Area. 3. With existing processes there is little, if any, scope for further development of aluminium production in the United Kingdom itself, and careful examination of the possible alternatives elsewhere in the Sterling Area, in which the co-operation of Aluminium Limited of Canada and the British Aluminium Company has been of the greatest assistance, has led to the conclusion that the most promising site is on the Volta River in the Gold Coast. This does not of course mean that it may not prove necessary to develop further capacity elsewhere in the Sterling Area or that there may not even now be scope for smaller schemes. '/ The Volta River Aluminium Scheme 4. The possibilities of the Volta River as a source of hydro-electric power , ... . have long been recognised, but the heavy capital expenditure on the dam ':': ...... . '.- and the public works would not be justified unless there were adequate industrial ,'" ." ~~ " .~~;-;~£~:i?:::. outlets for the large quantities of power produced. With its heavy demand for power an aluminium smelter is particularly well suited for this purpose, and from the point of view of aluminium production the site has several advantages in addition to its water power. Transport costs should be mucb smaller than is the case with most major smelters, which rely on distant sources for their chief raw material-bauxite. Known reserves in the Gold Coast of bauxite exceed 200 million tons. The proposed site for the smelter is near the coast (30-40 miles) . ~ ..... -, .. ~. ~ .... -~/ <_t ,'{ I C ..... "r < {' ( ( . I • f r1 ~) ( '" , , l" C\ .{. .. l ,, • f • , , .. \ . ' "- ~ L , , "l "1\ L't' A 'j . ' \ 0' " " -. '\ .~~ .. :.. .." . ~. ".". .~ . ...... 5. As long ago as 192~ ~e: "Goid "'c~ast ~~v;;nm;~t- ~~rderk; iije ~" : possibilities of aluminium ·prodliHion· 'on • the" ~ olta River. Commercial investigations started in 1938; they were interrupted by the war but led in 1945 to the formation of a company, West African Aluminium Limited, to carry the scheme forward. In 1947 Aluminium Limited acquired extensive bauxite concessions and in 1949 secured an interest in West African Aluminium Limited. The Gold Coast Government appointed Sir William Halcrow and Partners in 1949 to investigate the potential value of the Volta River to the economy of the Gold Coast, and in August 1951 the firm submitted a favourable report on the _p rospects of developing hydro-electric power for aluminium production. With the encouragement of the United Kingdom Government the practicability of aluminium production in the area was also examined by a Joint Mission of Aluminium Limited and the British Aluminium Company, which reported favourably on the prospects in January 1951. 6. It became clear that the scale of the capital investment and the scope of the project, involving as it did major public works as well as the hydro- electric scheme and the aluminium smelter, were such that substantial Government financial participation would be essential. 7. Exploratory discussions accordingly took place in London in October- November 1951 and in London and Accra in May-June 1952 between repre- sentatives of the United Kingdom Government, the Gold Coast Government, Aluminium Limited and the British Aluminium Company. The purpose was to consider the conditions under which the two Governments and the aluminium companies might jointly participate in a scheme for aluminium production in the Gold Coast. Those who took part made it clear that they could not commit their Governments and Boards. 8. In these discussions, in which Sir William Ha1crow and Partners and Cooper Brothers and Company (the chartered accountants engaged to advise the United Kingdom Government on the scheme) also took part, agreement was reached upon the technical and economic feasibility of the project, and upon arrangements for joint participation which could be recommended to the Governments and Boards concerned. 9. The scheme as it now stands in the light of these discussions is described in detail in Appendix II and a map will be found on page 22. All the estimates given are based on 1952 prices and costs. 10. Broadly speaking the scheme falls into three parts:- (a) The construction of a power station at Ajena about seventy miles from the mouth of the Volta River, involving the creation of a reservoir with an area of 2,000 square miles. This would ultimately have a con- tinuous generating capacity of 564,000 KW. and would, it is provisionally estimated, cost £54 million but the full capacity would not be installed at the outset and it is estimated that the cost of the initial stage would be £45·5 million. Power should begin to become a vaila ble from five to seven years 1fter work begins. By far the greater part would be used for aluminium production but power would· also be available for other consumers. (b) The erection of an aluminium smelter in the vicinity of Kpong, 12 miles from Ajena. This would have an initial capacity of 80,000 tons and an ultimate capacity of 210,000 tons of aluminium a year; it would be hoped to attain the full capacity within -at most twenty years from opening the smelter. The bauxite deposits at Mpraeso and Yenahin would 3 17646 A 2 ,,-,' .•• ·. . ·• • ..... · . ..' . .. ;;,'.- • • •• 0' . '! • • •• • .- ·• . ,•0 • .' .. ..• . . .- ·•' . ,•; --..- • • • ., ,•0 -0 -., ., -. • • tII. • • •• . . ·• . •• • . .. . . .. •• . . . peeS to upf,tJ tta; t;'~ ~ .' · or •~ MId ~ ~ r t produce 80:000 t a a year I. lmated to be £29 mllUoa. 1111 fUll de~ pment, t 210,000 toa annual capacity, III1tbna&ed to COlt £64 milli n. luminium production would tiqJn II 100ft U tile power project in pcratloo. (C') tea i public ort at an timated COlt or about £l6 miIUoa uld be required. They, ould Include new port flCilld. . railway and road devel r.ment and hou In.. hoo ... aod other ameoitMi. or this. me £11 nulhon uld be for a new port. Tbc Oold out Oo..unea& ha decided that a new port at Tana II required in uy cue for &be Fncrai need of the tenitory, and prc1imlDa'7 work is already ira bud. The t tal t uld. therefore, on prcICDt lltimat be of the orcs. or £100 mdli a for aluminium productioo at tbe initial rate of 80,000 tOOl a ~ and £1 .... milli D at the muimum rate. however, il aplained iD AppeodU II the ri of accedialtbe lImat b a ubIcaDtiai marlin is not one",bicb caD be mno~ from a tchcme of thas nature. DhI. . 01 Respo..all. ... II. The cooc:cption behind the tcbeme is of a putnenb.ip in wbic:b private enterpnle /Ould be primarily responaible for aluminium productioa and tbe t1i Governmmt for tbe b)dro-cJec:tric: ICbeme and the public works and 1CrVICU. The proposed diVISIOn of rcspo1!SIbiJilia I set out below. but, as explained in Appendu II and in .,.,.papb 18. there would be arranacmeoll for c:o-ordlnalln. propal upon tbe ICbeme II a bole. (a) The Gold Coast Olneramenl TiOUId be raponaible for ftnanciq and carryin, out tbe public works. i.e. port. railways, roads and tOWDIbipI at tbe dam site and port. (6) The nited Kinadom Ciovernment would have the major rcIpOD- Slbihty for financin, the power project but the Gold Coat Government .'Ould contnbute to tbe COlt II far .. their ...,urca permitlld. TbIy e=xpect t o be able to ~ at Ieut a million. A public authority. the •• Voha River Authority", would be created 10 undertake the coDIttUCtion of the dam and bydro-clectric: ..o r . On completion the power ~ would be lakeo over by an autoooDJOUI board, the .. olta Electricity ... The Authority and the Boerd uId be responsible 10 &be Gold COUl Government. but their Chairmen uId be appoinled joimIy by the 1110 Gowrnmans. IUbject to the detailed provisions in AppeDdix 1If, where the pr posed constitution and ICOpO of these bodies II let out. The AuthorilY and the Board uJcI aIIo cootain a nominee or &be OIled Kmptom Gowmmau and, at Ieua, tbrouaJlout &be CODIUUCtion period. a rqJrCICfttative of the aluminium inleratL (c) The dewJopment and operation of &be ahuniDium smelter and &be baU1i1e mines toactber with the new towns It the smeller and miDes would be tbe responsibility of a company (the .. smelter compuy " the equity in which would be provided by the aluminium compaDiea except for a minority boldin, in Gold Cout bands. .t is. bowever, propoaed that the oiled Kinadom Government lbouJcl provide about a 81th of the initial capital and Ibould be prepared; if called upon, abo 10 provide up to balf tbe COlt of expandin, the capacity from 80,000 to 120,000 tOOl; these contributions would be on a suitable non-equity buia. The 8na-1 uraD""",,, in collDClC:1ion with the IIIIClter COJIIIIUY are dealt willa in deIail iD Appeadia 11. It it DOt coot.plated 1bat it would be ...~ ry for the Uoitecl KiDadom Oo~.DlDlDt 10 make uy COIl1ribadoa CIlJIUIion of the smelter an. a ca.,.aty of 120.000 toaa bid .,.. ....... 4 .... ... , .~ ~ .~ ... .~ . ..... . 12. It is not possible to :sa)' pteciielY· ~ow cP.e: c~~t. ~<1t>1d: bi °disin~uted: : between the . different parti~9\ Th1s W'O'Ull!l°deped'd "I1Ot Mly \lp'tm t~e °ll'tfalo, estimates for the scheme as a whole but upon the extent to which in practice the Gold Coast Government and the aluminium companies provided more than the minimum sums envisaged under the scheme in its present form. The detailed basis of the distribution of costs between the parties is given in Appendix II but the following table summarises the capital expenditure likely to be involved for each of the parties if the United Kingdom Government had to make the maximum contribution at present envisaged. ESTIMATES OF COST Capacity in tons 80,000 120,000 210,000 Port, Rail, Road and other Public Works £ £ £ Gold Coast Government ... ... 26,000,000 26,000,000 26,000,000 The Power Project United Kingdom Government ... 37,500,000 41,500,000 46,000,000 Gold Coast Government ... ... 8,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000 £ 45,500,000 49,500,000 54,000,000 The Aluminium Smelter United Kingdom Government ... 5,800,000 10,800,000 10,800,000 Gold Coast Government and private investors" ... ... ... ... - 2,300,000 2,806,000 5,300,000/10,600,000 Aluminium Companies ... ... 20,900,000 25,400,000 47,900,000/42,600,000 £ 29,000,000 39,000,000 64,000,000 Total ... .. , ... £ 100,500,000 114,500,000 144,000,000 To be borne by:- United Kingdom Government ... 43,300,000 52,300,000 56,800,000 Gold Coast Government and private investors" ... ... .. . ... 36,300,000 36,800,000 39,300,000/44,600,000 Aluminium Companies ... ... 20,900,000 25,400,000 47,900,000/42,600,000 Total ... ... . .. £ 100,500,000 114,500,000 144,000,000 * See Appendix II, paragraph 14. 13. On the present provisional estimates the maximum expenditure by the United Kingdom Government would therefore be £56·8 million; and £43·3 million at most would have to be found by the United Kingdom Government to launch the scheme with the initial capacity of 80,000 tons of aluminium a year. Proposed Terms of United Kingdom Government Investment 14. The United Kingdom investment in the power project would be safe- guarded in a number of ways. It would take the form of a loan to the Volta River Authority and subsequently the Volta Electricity Board which would be repayable over eighty years. This would be secured on the assets, and there would be a power contract for sixty years under which, in broad terms (see paragraph 22 of Appendix II), the smelter company would undertake to pay at least the Board's operating costs (including interest) plus the cost of providing 5 17646 A3 .. .'. .,: .. c ,", .. ·- ,-'. .. . •.. • . .•. : ~, '. -' .. . . .... .. .. . . ~ , ' .0 . . .• .• .•. •. .' ·• ... .•. 0 . .' .. ..•, . . • • .. .•·. . . .., ... .•" . • ···• ··• .' ' • ' •• "f .. r ( , .,,:. ". • .. » ~. ....~ jI .. J ! • if ,~ • , . ~. ... f C,. for renewals and amortisAtj{m, : :rWs ~~htraCt: lNo'Wd ~e ~6nt.eea ~y :the. ~ aluminium companies and the Gold Coast Government in proportion to their respective holdings in the equity of the smelter company until production at 210,000 tons a year had been successfully maintained for five years. So long 'r -.~. as any part of the loan was outstanding the Chairman of the Board would be jointly appointed by the two Governments. The exact terms of United Kingdom ·.-,-:..:~~: . Government capital assistance to the smelter company up to the 80,000 and I .,r ~ .. . "• ~ 120,000 ton stages have been left open for decision in the light of the circum- L . stances at the time, but it would not take the form of an equity investment. 1 • IS. The United Kingdom would be the natural market for most of the Gold Coast metal, but the smelter company would be under an obligation for thirty years from initial production to offer buyers in the United Kingdom not less .... . " .. - ,~ ""'"'" ." ~;... ":. """t .. than 75 per cent. of the metal produced. The option would be in terms ensuring I , ...... - .- .. .- . ... ; ~ .• , •• _'_, •• ...;,/_~"' • ...:. J .... I' • • that in normal circumstances the price would not compare unfavourably with : '. North American prices. As a result of the scheme United Kingdom consumers should be able to count on at least 60,000 tons a year of additional Sterling . ...... '. Area aluminium in the early days of the smelter-on present expectations by l 1960 or soon after-and on a minimum of 157,500 tons a year when the full r·' capacity of 210,000 tons is being worked. Position of the Gold Coast Government and the alnminium companies 16. The scheme prepared in the London and Accra discussions has been considered by the Gold Coast Government and by the Boards of the two aluminillm companies. The Gold Coast Government favour it in principle and are in agreement with the financial and other details as at present envisaged. The Board of Aluminium Limited have signified their general agreement to the scheme. The Board of the British Aluminium Company are also in general agreement, subject to their ability at the time to make suitable arrangements to finance their participation. Views of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom 17. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are favourable in principle to participation in the scheme, which would further their policy of encouraging the development of the resources of the Commonwealth as well as contributing to the raw material needs of the United Kingdom. They believe, on the basis of the information so far available, that it is soundly conceived and that its successful completion would bring substantial benefits to the two countries. 18. All the parties are, however, conscious of the difficulties which are inherent in a scheme of this magnitude undertaken under tropical conditions in a territory whose economy is developing rapidly in other directions. It is in particular important to make sure that the large labour force for the power project can be recruited, fed, housed and maintained, that the port, rail and road developments are carried out according to programme, that waste and extravagance are avoided, and that the scheme once launched is not dislocated because of other claims upon resources. One of the chief tasks of the Volta River Authority would be to synchronise wotk upon the different aspects of the scheme and to secure the necessary priorities so that it might be completed with maximum efficiency and in accordance with an agreed time-table. The Gold Coast Government have stated that they would be ready, whenever the occasion arose, to defer or rephase other parts of their development programme which seemed likely to conflict with the scheme in the demands on the resources available of men, transport and materials. 6 .. '" . -." '.~ " '.~ i~'~'~ .: l~ "-t . ( c. ". '\." ( ." "<. ( .. ~" t ' ...... " '~~ ~.~~. ~ t . i,; ( "() \. ~ ... " ' l' L. ~ ,\~" ( \' l •• , . ~ ..:- .. ": -:. " . " ~. . .. '.. . " .".. . ."." . "..'. . .. . . .. :. .:., . . . .: .: .. o 0 o 0 00 19. Careful preliminary examinatIOn lias snown.. n.o .re.a so.n" for .t h'.in kin.g t.h.a.t the difficulties are insuperable, but in the discussions at Accra in June 1952 it was agreed that there was a good deal more preparatory work to be done before the parties could be expected to commit themselves finally. As recom- mended in the Accra discussions, the United Kingdom and the Gold Coast Governments propose, therefore, to establish a Preparatory Commission, under a Special Commissioner, with the following duties:- (i) In conjunction with the Gold Coast Government to determine the phasing of the project with other Gold Coast Government development projects in the light of the available resources of the Gold Coast economy, including the adequacy of the Government services. (ii) To take part in the determination of the constitution and powers of the Volta River Authority. . (iii) To continue the development of the necessary preparatory work with the assistance of such staff as the aluminium companies can make available. (iv) To take part in the preparation of a Master Agreement. (Further details of the proposed Preparatory Commission are given in Appendix IV.) 20. The Preparatory Commission will be appointed as soon as possible and will be instructed to proceed with its work with all practicable speed. It will be appointed by the Gold Coast Government, but the Special Commissioner will be chosen with the concurrence of the United Kingdom Government. The full cost of the Commission will be borne by the Volta River Authority if it is decided to proceed with the scheme, but Her Majesty's Government have agreed meanwhile to share the cost with the Gold Coast Government. A Supplementary Estimate for the financial year 1952-53 will be presented in due course. It is difficult to' forecast the total cost of the Commission or how long it will take to finish its work, but it is not expected to cost more than £400,000, of which £200,000 would fall on the United Kingdom Exchequer. Arrangements will be made jointly with the Gold Coast Government for the proper control of this expenditure. 21 . If in the light of the Preparatory Commission's work it is decided to proceed with the scheme, a further report will be made to Parliament, and legislation will be proposed to obtain the necessary financial powers. 7 . • ·.·--.- -.,, .•• . • 0 ·. : -'·:.'J:r :~:::~-:~·~;~f:~'- -~ . ~ , : :: ~> 0 . ·• - · •. .. • · ·· . -,.'" - · ·· ... .. . . ·· t .... , ·. .. • .. . . ..,.' I ... . c • .. • .. ·• . .· • f · · . • • ·• ... ·# • • · ·· ·· · . · • ·· ·· • • ··APPENUrx r ' UNITED KINGDOM REQUIREMENTS OF ALUMINIUM r' -.-.'-. "- --- -.... World Requirements and Production 1. The problem of extracting aluminium from its ores on a commercial scale was -. 7. ';: ~ not solved until 1886, At first its development as an industrial metal was slow, but the turning point in its history came with the first world war. Sin~ then-and.~ore 1-- _ particularly during and since the second world war-the consumptIOn of aluffi!I1lUm has been growing rapidly and it has become one of the three or four metals m the widest use. r~-~-_ ~~'~'~'~'~'~~~~ l ,-· •. ..,.. .. _ -. .....,: .. • ". 2. The growth of world production is shown in the following table: ",,.;;., ". . :~~. -' , .,--" TABLE A Production ('000 Long Tons) Sterling Area Europe Year U.S.A. & (excl. Rest of World Total Canada U.K.) U.K. Other 1920 ... ... 74 49 8 - - 131 1922 ... ... 43 42 5 - - 90 1924 .. . ... 80 79 7 - - 166 1926 ... ... 83 103 7 - - 193 1928 ... ... 133 108 11 - - 252 1930 .. . ... 137 113 14 - - 264 1932 ... .. . 65 76 10 - - 151 1934 ... ... 48 90 13 - - 151 1936 ... ... 127 175 16 - 7 325 1938 ... ... 192 290 23 - 17 522 1940 ... ... 281 365 19 - 41 706 1941 ., . . .. 466 385 23 - 79 953 1942 ... .. . 770 391 47 - 109 1,317 1943 ... .. . 1,265 380 56 1 148 1,850 1944 .. . ... 1,106 303 35 2 116 1,562 1945 ... .. . 635 79 31 2 20 767 1946 .. , ... 538 92 31 3 5 669 1947 ... .. . 777 125 28 3 4 937 1948 ... ... 885 169 30 3 11 1,098 1949 ... . .. 869 182 30 4 23 1,108 1950 .. . .. . 994 213 29 4 25 1,265 1951 ... . .. 1,166 321 27 4 36 1,554 These figures do not include production in Yugoslavia or in Soviet and satellite countries. They are derived from a variety of sources, but, while, therefore, not statistically precise, provide a reliable basis for tracing the development of production. 3. There have been temporary setbacks, but it will be seen that the growth in production over the period as a whole has been spectacular. It is in particular noteworthy that, while there was a substantial fall in output after the war, production nearly reached the 1943 peak figure again by 1951 and may exceed it in 1952. This is in part attributable to rearmament, but it is mainly due to the development of new uses for aluminium and its use in substitution for other metals. An important ... ... ,. .,-.d~ ..... , ___ -.... -.,.. _ ._ ....._ __ , • _ contributory factor has been the relatively small increase in the price of aluminium as compared with that of other metals. The price of aluminium in the United Kingdom in 1939 was £94 a ton; it is now (October, 1952) £166 a ton. The United States price of 20 cents a lb. is the same as in 1939. The rise in the United Kingdom price is due in large part to the depreciation of sterling in relation to the dollar. 8 ';-i: <~:-~~f:~'~ } ~'~;t, !" . ' l (. - . ''',\ . . ~ ,.,: • "- · t , l" , ( ' (. . . ' .-'~: ' -1...:," ' . ". • ;' ( '-,'- " -I L: .... .-.-t.. ',' l. l . f .": (. A '. I ' • j ': ~ '" ..( '· ,'v:".- ,· • t ~ { t.' l.. l ' f i.'~o;... • " " ." \ ' I '~ . :',\ u I ,_ '-lot ( t .... . .... ,.." l.I... . . ~ •. .. ... ...... .... .. . .0 ..............·... ... . ... .. .. .. .. . . . . United Kingdom Consumption "• •• • • ••• • ••• ••. ~ .. 4. Table B below shows the united Kingdom consumption of aluminium during the period 1920-1951: consumption of copper, lead and zinc is given for purposes of comparison. TABLE B Consumption in the United Kingdom ('000 Long Tons) Lead. Aluminium Copper Imported Virgin, Zinc. Slab and Year English I Refined, Remelted, and Scrap Scrap and Virgin Secondary New Scrap incl. Residues Remelted 1920 ... ... 15 - 100 - 158 120 1922 ... ... 6 - 45 - 154 100 1924 ... ... 17 - 134 - 220 152 1926 .. . . .. 19 - 137 - 251 159 1928 . ,. ... 17 - 155 - 241 181 1930 ... ... 24 - 143 - 283 168 1932 ... ... 20 - 129 - 221 115 1934 ... ... 23 - 217 - 329 169 1936 ." ... 38 - 254 - 345 218 1938 ... ... 45 - 255 - 383 209 1940 ... ... 102 33 440 - } not } not 1941 ." ... 117 49 445 - available available 1942 .. , ... 195 64 491 329 319 396 1943 ... .. . 208 85 449 347 284 376 1944 ... ... 150 72 348 275 283 309 1945 ... ... 99 51 289 173 294 250 1946 ... ... 118 83 325 168 317 290 1947 ... ... 159 108 350 191 317 316 1948 ... ... 174 69 356 182 314 310 1949 ... ... 179 68 319 178 328 288 1950 ... ... 181 87 335 191 328 330 1951 ... ... 203 113 330 224 341 284 NOTE:-No figures for secondary aluminium are available prior to 1940. Since the war the proportion of secondary to virgin aluminium has been abnormally high because of liquida- tion of Government stocks of secondary metal recovered mainly from crashed and obsolete aircraft during and after the war. These stocks have now been exhausted and the industry will in future obtain secondary metal only from the normal recovery of scrap. The demand for virgin aluminium will be correspondingly greater. 5. It will be seen that whereas in the late twenties and early thirties the average annual consumption oply 5!ightly exceeded 20,000 tons, in 1946 consumption exceeded 200,000 tons and had grown to 316,000 tons in 1951. Part of the recent increase is accounted for by rearmament, but on the other hand deliveries to fabricators have been subject to an allocation system, and with the co-operation of the industry arrangements have been in force since 1950 for the restriction of the less essential end uses. Broadly speaking the increase in the defence demand as a result of rearmament is thought to have been offset by the restrictions on the demand for other purposes. U.K. fabricating capacity 6. Aluminium fabricating capacity in the United Kingdom is already in the region of 500,000 tons a year, and 100,000 tons of this capacity has been created in the past three years. These figures disregard the capacity of fabricating plants held in reserve for emergency purposes. 9 4 ••• ' , •• " •• :1 •• t4. ' . , , c.e: .. . « " :If:" r:c: C:«- :• • :. ". :•:••~ '• ••• f .G~ « • Imports • • • •• . • • • 7. In 1951 United Kingdom imports of virgin aluminium totalled 176,000 tons. Of these Canada supplied about 172,000 ton~ or over 95 per cent at l!- cost in dol!ars of over £18 million. Imports from Canada WIll be about 230,000 tons III 1952. Untted Kingdom home production is about 30,000 tons a year. \ ~:7~_~::,:_.~~~~~;.<~~,·._·- I __ •. __ --t 1_",,:· _.:,. , __ ' -._-.--, ... :"; ..... Future Demand 8. There is every reason to expect that the demand for aluminium will continue to increase rapidly throughout the world. There may be setbacks but these should L· only be temporary interruptions to the upward trend. 9. This view, which is shared by the aluminium producers and the fabricators in the main industrial countries, is based upon the enormous possibilities for the extended use of aluminium in engineering, shipbuilding, aircraft, transport, the electrical industry, building and other fields in which it is already accepted. The trend would be assisted by the continuance of the post-war price relationship between aluminium and other metals. 10. The prospective demand for aluminium in the United States and the free world was recently examined by the President's Materials Policy Commission (" Paley Commission "). The Commission summed up its conclusions in its report published in June, 1952, entitled" Resources for Freedom" (Volume II, pages 123 and 134) as follows: United States " Aluminum has not yet found its 'normal' relative place in the materials demand of the American economy. In almost all its uses it is in the process of winning markets away from competing materials, as already cited in the discussions of the other non-ferrous metals. But markets gained from the non-ferrous metals are unlikely to be quantitatively the most important causes of aluminum's future expansion, for substitutions even far in excess of those anticipated could be effected by less than a million tons of aluminum. They may of course, be highly valuable substitutions because of the specialized uses served by the non-ferrous metals. In contrast, the possibilities of substituting aluminum for steel and wood are almost unlimited. Aluminum window frames and furniture, and aluminum in construction would by themselves account for a four- or five-fold expansion of United States aluminum demand from its present level of 983,000 short tons. This fact frustrates any attempt at precision in the estimate .of aluminum demand. If there were no substitutions at all in favour of aluminum, its demand would probably expand by 1975 to 2 or 2t times its 1950 level. The projected substitutions of aluminum for other non-ferrous metals would add another 500,000 tons. To the resulting figure of 2t to 3 million tons must be added an arbitrary allowance for the probable amount of aluminum that will I: substitute for steel and wood. l ,-.··.-- - ~' --- , We have chosen to project the 1975 United States demand for aluminum ..... at 4·5 million (between 4 and 5 times the 1950 consumption) as indicating a plausible rate of growth. A figure much less than this would imply almost no incursions of aluminum into fields now held by other materials. A figure much greater, say IO times the 1950 output, would be possible if aluminum were assumed to take over more than a small part of the functions now perfonned by wood and steel. The policy implications of a ten-fold increase should therefore be considered. . The scrap ratio of aluminum has averaged less than IO per cent in the United States in recent years. Since the projected rate of growth is considerably slower than that of the past, this ratio is expected to in~rease in the future. In Europe, where the growth of aluminum consumption from 1935-38 to 1948-49 was at about the rate projected for the United States, recent scrap ratios have been around 30 per cent, but these ratios were influenced by the presence of war scrap on the European market. An intermediate figure of around 20 per cent is not implausible for the United States in 1975. This would make the projected United States demand for new aluminum around 3· 6 million tons, an increase of about 300 per cent over the 1950 consumption of 920,000 short tons of new meta!." 10 t 1. . -'~ 4.. .. _, I . (,. ... L. t\ 4..-. I L' ~ ~ ... . ,. ,t~ t'I L ";". ~ ' ' l ' , < ( ':v, "'.,.: (,' 4.. :-.~ . I '" 4.. ( t' I 'i, .,..... • • • •• • •• • . '? • • .• '* .: :. • .: .:... .: • •. :• • t9t1•~•; •F r~• N• a:v'n."r. .: ..• •• •• • •••• •• •• •• •• .. The rest of the free world consumed, in 1950, about 465,000 short tons of new aluminum. The same forces expected to bring about the rapid expansion of United States aluminum consumption will also operate in the other free countries. The prospective growth will certainJy be large, but there is no sound basis for the choice of any particular figure. Abroad, as in the United States, ~ :- " ~', -_..... - . - -.." ~: - ..- aluminum is still growing into its place in the consumption pattern. '",."/". " : •••¥ .... ~• • -.' .. ... Available data on scrap consumption in Europe reveal an abnormally high ...: ,.~~. ~ ).. . ..~.~ .. ~ scrap ratio in 1950. Accordingly, foreign demand for new aluminum is expected ".. ~ -- - - '. .- .... -: .:: ~::;~:' ~.:J.. .: "~ to rise at a rate somewhat faster than that expected for total consumption, that is, new aluminum plus scrap. The new aluminum demand of the rest of :~~l;.:. .. .. -:.. ... ~ "'. ~[..~-" i-:' ;;~ " the free world is therefore projected to increase from its present level to about '~L • - . - • - . ~ - ..: 'F _ . ........ _. 2·4 million tons in 1975, a figure that represents a fivefold increase in total -..- --------. .. ~. .'.- "'-. -:. .. -.. -.--:.'- '. demand and a scrap ratio stabilized at the 20 per cent level projected for the United States." - ~ .. -::...,;:- ..... J I. The future demand for aluminium in the United Kingdom is likely to be governed by the same basic factors as in the United States and elsewhere, and growing world requirements will be reflected in the demand for United I' • _~ .... - Kingdom exports of aluminium products. The Paley Commission were aware :----~.-:: ... -=.:~'"-y ~,:-:. . :~?;-.:~~ :. ~ of the difficulties in projecting demand over a twenty-five year period, and ~-.............. --::- --:...~.. - ,;.":- ~- .. ~~.\: .. their estimate was intended only as a broad indication of what might happen on . - <_, __ A' ....· l ... __ "'; r ..... - ............... certain hypotheses. Applied to the United Kingdom, their estimate for the rest of the free world would give total United Kingdom consumption at about I · 3 million tons in 1975, of which J million tons would need to be met from virgin metal. On the alternative assumption (which the Aluminium Industry Council regards as conservative on the basis that aluminium is available at competitive prices) that the average annual rate of increase is 5 per cent., and taking 1950 total consumption of 268,000 tons as the starting point (though consumption in 1951 increased considerably above this) demand would exceed 430,000 tons in total by 1960 and would be about 900,000 tons a year by 1975. Discounting these totals by 20 per cent. for scrap the virgin metal requirements would be 340,000 tons in 1960 and 720,000 tons in 1975. Future Supply Prospects 12. There is no danger that the expansion of aluminium production wlll be restricted because of shortage of bauxite. Known reserves of bauxite of good quality in countries '"' I .. • r of the free world are estimated to be of the order of 1,500 million tons (350 million tons metal content) and they are widely distributed. Nor is there any reason to think that shortages of other raw materials will be a handicap to expansion. 13. The chief difficulty is the heavy demand on electric power which the extraction processes make. Unless cheap power is already available in large quantities, any major new development of aluminium producing capacity involves at the same time the large-scale development of power-normally. as th ings are, hydro-electnc power. Thi means in practice that large-scale expansion of aluminium production under present processes can only take place in connection with major power developments. 14. About 30,000 tons of aluminium a year is produced by the British Aluminium Company who use hyu,u-dectncity from the Scottish H ighlands. Durmg the war new capacity was set up in South Wales but the plants were uneconomic and have since been dismantled. Unless ne" processes are developed which reduce th! demand for electric power or enable coal to be used economlCally for aluminium production it seems most unlikely, in view of the lack of potential hydro-electric power in the United Kingdom and the many claims upon the available power, that further large-scale production in the United Kmgdom itself will be economic. Interesting possibilities of new processes are under scientific investigation in this country and elsewhere, but it wiu be a long time before commercial development is a practical proposition. 15. The United Kingdom will, therefore, have to import the additional metal it will require. lmports at least at the present rates are assured by the long·term arrangements with the Aluminum Company of Canada. Under these arrangements II .. ... ... ... .... ·· . .. ... .. . .. . .. ... . .. ··· ..... . .. .. o •• .«. .. if.... 1f :: w:! ! :.. ...•. .. :6: .. • :• t, '. : .: •: : the United Kingdom Govern~llt h~~e, !during ' nct ~ i.nce J.Qe fa'sf wac; lent br (ltl;ee~. : to lend a total of Canadian $120 million in order to assist the company to expand its capacity. In return for these loans the United Kingdom Government secured a contract for the supply of 250,000 tons of virgin aluminium in each of the years 1952 to 1955 and an option to take 250,000 tons a year thereafter until 1970. This .... ~~ .,,!'.--; • option has since been increased by 25,000 tons in each of the years 1957 to 1960. ._"""~_ ~J' __ :,:-~._"",,._-,_ .. ..., . ......,,_:-.-.~:;-. ,- ;:.1' . ".'- 16. For import requirements above the current level it will be necessary to depend ..: :- on the export surpluses of producing countries. Many countries are planning ,,' relatively small increases in their aluminium-producing capacity to meet their own needs but while this will help to reduce their need to import virgin aluminium it would be unsafe to assume that countries which are producing primarily in the ~~~~r~·~:~~.,:·~·: _~'~,~~_~~' interests of their own fabricators will have virgin metal to export. :,"'-~-'-- ,,- ""'"-',","~~~ 17. The only large scale developments which are in prospect at present are in Canada and the United States. Since the war the Aluminum Company of Canada has increased its installed smelter capacity in the Province of Quebec from 450,000 toDS ........ -,--.~.~-... ,. . ..:. .. :;.. ... , -.. .. to 500,000 tons a year. The company's Kitimat project in British Columbia will have an initial capacity of"83,OOO tons with operation starting in 1954, and a potential capacity of 500,000 tons a year. In the United States the present expansion programme will double the 1950 capacity of about 700,000 tons and capacity will exceed 1·4 million tons when it is completed in 1954. 18. If United States requirements increase as rapidly as the Paley Commission envisaged, capacity in the United States may wel~ do no more than keep pace with them. Even if it were wise to count on an export surplus from the United States being available to the United Kingdom in competition with other importing countries, additional dollar expenditure would be involved. The possibilities of further expansion of aluminium production in Canada have by no means been exhausted, but to meet the additional requirements of the United Kingdom from Canada would similarly add very substantially to the dollar expenditure. , 19. In all these circumstances there is a strong case for developing new aluminium production in the Sterling Area. The possibilities have been carefully examined since the war with the co-operation and advice of the British Aluminium Company and Aluminium Limited. It was decided that the choice of a site probably lay between the Gold Coast and North Borneo, and with the encouragement of the United Kingdom Government the two companies sent a Joint Mission to the two territories to report on the possibilities. The Joint Mission reported in January 1951 that while both sites were suitable for the development of aluminium production, the Gold Coast was preferable since bauxite was available in the territory and a larger production capacity could be attained from the greater potential hydro-electric power available. APPENDIX n THE- VOLTA RIVER ALUMINIUM SCHEME The Volta River 1. The Volta River, the principal river of the Gold Coast, has a total length of some 1,000 miles from the head waters of the Black Volta to the sea. The drainage area of the river system is approximately 150,000 square miles, of which 61,500 square miles (roughly 40 per cent.) lies within Gold Coast territory including the trust territory of Togoland, and 88,500 square miles lies outside the Gold Coast in French territory. The Black Volta rises in the French Ivory Coast and flows north-east and then south to form the western boundary of the Gold Coast Northern Territories, and thence east to join the White Volta some 300 miles from the sea. Below this confluence there are two main tributaries, the Oti and the Mram. The map on page 22 shows the general geography and the places mentioned subsequently in connection with the scheme. 12 .n~ ooir- ". ,,_~. ( ~':'·."l" \'t~. " l .I·(l ~ • " ~ , - l ' :. ~ '~ "l l -l' (. . • ' .... . 't·.v). .' 0: .' [ .{ I '-...'t ""-", ...... ~. ~. 1, .OC ~ ". lij.; ' -( .I t ~ , -.~ f..,(' . r (: - f {- ; l. 1 ,.. _\Jl):" (. P.l" {" '" ...... .... .. .. . .... .. .... .... .. .... . ';; .... ~ ... .... .. .. .. .. -~r • ~~ •• 2. About 75 miles from its molJth~t Ae!a the Volfll"!as~throlllgH. ao ow;collstal" .. range, the Akwapim Hills, the 'country"up 'h"e~ ~mg flat~· TIrec gotge ·througIr ~e ... hills provides a possible site for a high dam which would pond the water up the Volta and Afraro to form a great lake. The only other site apparently suitable for a dam ~~~~;~~~~~~fl8~~ on the river system is at Bui on the Black Volta 145 miles up stream from its confluence ~'~:-::-:;'~~~7<;;~") ~,,::;:,~~:~~;:~.:·."fi .-: ..~ " - with the White Volta; this site would provide much less power. History of the Scheme 3. The possibility of developing hydro-electric power from the Volta has been considered at various times during the last few decades. In 1924 the Gold Coast Government drew up and considered proposals for the construction of a dam at Ajena in the Akwapim Hills for generating power for the production of aluminium, and in 1938 Mr. Duncan Rose started a detailed survey and obtained certain conces- sions. The war interrupted this survey in 1939 but in 1945 a company-West African Aluminium Limited-was formed, with Mr. Rose as Chairman, to carry the scheme forward. In 1949 Aluminium Limited of Canada acquired an interest in this company. l-<::~:=~.:.~,;-::,::.:,:'.'.-~ ." ... ~>,;~~-~:~1,;~~.~:..~~/ ~-.. In 1950 a joint mission of Aluminium Limited and the British Aluminium Company made a further detailed study of the scheme prepared by West African Aluminium {;.-;;~'/Ffj~~iq?/~'~~';,~;'::f1~iJ~~~;:':-;&',··, Limited and reported in January, 1951, that it was a sound engineering proposition and could produce aluminium at an economic cost. 4. Meanwhile the Gold Coast Government had decided that the development of the Volta River Basin should be viewed as a whole and that a comprehensive investigation and report should be obtained before any further rights to develop the power under- ~~-" taking were granted. Accordingly in October, 1949, they engaged Sir William :~"~\ ": Halcrow and Partners to undertake a survey of all aspects of the Volta River develop- ment, The terms of reference covered hydro-electric power at Ajena and/or Bui, irrigation and drainage of lands in or near the catchment of the River Volta, navigation on the river, transport and port facilities. 5. After a preliminary report dated 25th July, 1950, Sir William Halcrow and Partners submitted a final report on 15th August, 1951, which set out a scheme for the development of the Volta B,asin. So far as it related to aluminium production this report formed the basis for the subsequent discussions between representatives of the United Kingdom and the Gold Coast Governments, of Aluminium Limited, and of the British Aluminium Company which took place in October and November, 1951 and in May, 1952, in London and in June, 1952, in Accra. The purpose of these discussions was to consider the conditions under which the two Governments and the aluminium companies might jointly participate in a scheme for aluminium production in the Gold Coast. Sir William Halcrow and Partners and Cooper Brothers and Company, the chartered accountants engaged by the United Kingdom Government as advisers on the financial aspects of the scheme, were represented. The discussions were exploratory in character. The representatives of the two Governments explained that they could not commit their Governments, and the representatives of the two aluminium companies that they could not commit their Boards, The following scheme resulted from these discussions. The Scheme 6. The scheme now proposed envisages the construction of a dam and power station at Ajena in the gorge through the Akwapim Hills. This would raise the water level to a maximum height of 260 feet above sea level and would create a lake with an area of some 2,000 square miles as shown on the map. The geologists of the Gold Coast Government have agreed that the dam and reservoir proposed are geologically sound. The exact extent of the reservoir will not be known until a detailed survey has been completed but it is known that the water can be safely raised to this level. From records of the river flow which are available over a twenty year period it is estimated that the discharge could be regulated to give a continuous rate of 35,700 cubic feet of water per second. The draw down from the maximum level would be limited to 25 feet. By cutting through the Senchi and Kpong rapids below the dam to lower the tail water level it is calculated that an output of 564,000 K.W. of firm electric power could be developed. 13 ·· .. ... ... .. . ... ·.. .. .. ... . . ... '... .• . . ... • .• eo .•.•. . '. ~ .... .. ".. « «...... a. • .. 0 ~.. ,.,,: ' . ~ I. • .. : • • ": c '- ... .~.. .::. . 4- . ... :..!. .. Ii •~ .••. .« 7. It has always been reati",cid l liat ~ny lJIIa~r ~elopment "ofe tlte ..-olta- mtsin" .. would only be economic if an adequate demand could be found for the available power. Existing and estimated future demands for electric power in the Gold Coast are insufficient to justify the hydro-electric power without a heavy power consumer like aluminium production as the main outlet. It is intended to set up an aluminium smelter in the vicinity of Kpong, some 12 miles from the dam site. After allowing 50,000 K.W. for other users in the Gold Coast, the power available from the hydro- electric installation would be enough to produce 210,000 tons of aluminium a year. The smelter would draw its major raw material, bauxite, from reserves within the Gold Coast. Deposits of bauxite at Mpraeso and Yenahin, which would be worked to supply the smelter, are estimated to exceed 200 million tons, sufficient for about 200 years production at the maximum output of the smelter. Public Works 8. The establishment of an aluminium industry of this size would necessitate the construction of a new port conveniently situated to serve its needs. Takoradi is the only major port in the Gold Coast. Accra, next in size, has already reached the .) limit of its capacity and is unsuitable for further development as a port. While Takoradi has recently been extended, it is already evident that a new major port is. urg~ntly required to meet the general needs of the expanding Gold Coast economy. Sir William Ha1crow and Partners recommended that a new port to serve both the general and the aluminium needs should be constructed at Tema about 20 miles east of Accra. The Gold Coast Government, after obtaining a second opinion, have decided to proceed with the construction of a new port at Tema whether or not the scheme as a whole is undertaken ; preliminary work is now in hand. 9. In addition there would need to be a considerable development of communica- tions. Existing roads would need improvement and new roads would have to be built. It is expected, however, that the main burden of new traffic would fall on the railways. The new port at Tema would have to be linked by rail to both Accra and the smelter at Kpong. The bauxite would also be moved by rail, and new lines from Yenahin to Kumasi and from Koforidua to Kpong would be required. 10. The Gold Coast Government would be responsible for financing these public works and the townships which would come into being at the port and the dam site. The work would be carried out by the appropriate Gold Coast organisations, e.g., the Gold Coast Railways Department, the Tema Development Corporation and the Public Works Department. The Smelter and Mines 11. The aluminium smelter and bauxite mines would be managed by private enterprise, the aluminium companies and the Gold Coast Government sharing in the provision of the equity capital. The smelter company would be responsible for the construction and operation of the smelter and the development and operation of the mines. The smelter company would also be responsible for constructing the townships at the smelter and mines. The land required for the smelter would be acquired by the Gold Coast Government and would be leased to the smelter company for a period of 80 years plus a period of not more than three years for the construction of the smelter. Production Programme 12. It would be the intention of the aluminium companies to proceed to a smelter capacity of 210,000 tons a year as rapidly as conditions permit. Their willingness to participate is based on the conviction that the scheme would be capable of rapid expansion. In the first place, however, a capacity of 80,000 tons a year would be installed. The aluminium companies would be prepared at the request of the two Governments to commit themselves to expand the capacity to 120,000 tons a year within a period of seven years from the date when power first became available unless the two Governments subsequently agreed to extend the period. The aluminium companies would further be prepared at intervals of three years to consult with the two Governments on ways and means of attaining the maximum capacity of 210,000. tons. If a capacity of 210,000 tons had not been reached within twenty 14 ,,' . /I I L -(:. : ~ , I . ( ,_ to ( . l ~ t ,!. ..·<\- • ... . '- l t.'l I t.1.- c " " . ' .,.... lilt.. •• •• ." •• ..f). _._. . ... .. : . . ~. :: _. e. ::. ::. :: years from initial production,lh3Y :;oul~ un"rtakeeoo eXlf!n~~etlJt CositiOn ~~h: ° ° tbe two Governments. Failing !tgreHrftmt ~~ ttl°t'ileofe1siMity oT further expansion the power not required for the existing and immediately projected capacity of the smelter could be released to other users. In the event of others contracting for power for the production of aluminium the smelter company would make available to such producers the required quantities of bauxite on reasonable terms (to be settled by arbitration in default of agreement). 13. The aluminium companies would undertake that as far as possible any technical discoveries made or acquired by them or by their associated companies would be made available to the Gold Coast smelter company on terms as favourable as those on which they were made available to any other associated company. Financing the Smelter Company 14. The Gold Coast Government, Aluminium Limited and the British Aluminium Company would provide the equity capital of the smelter company, Aluminium Limited contributing the major part. The Gold Coast Government, as trustees of the people of the Gold Coast, would have the right to provide 10 per cent. of the equity capital as it was issued from time to time. After the smelter company had been in production twenty-five years and upon the request of the Gold Coast Government, the smelter company would in addition undertake to offer for sale at a reasonable price to private Gold Coast investors equity stock (either new stock or stock then in the hands of the aluminium companies) in an amount equal to the amount of equity stock previously transferred to private Gold Coast investors from the Gold Coast Government's original holdings. The aluminium companies attach importance to private enterprise and are anxious that Gold Coast private investors should participate in the equity of the smelter, but realise that for some time it is unlikely that private Gold Coast funds will be available. 15. All the capital attributable to the first 40,000 tons of annual capacity (including working capital) would be raised by the holders of the equity of the smelter company. One half of the capital attributable to the development of capacity from 40,000 to 80,000 tons would be raised by the equity holders, and the other half would be provided by the United Kingdom Government after the company's share had been raised. The exact form of the United Kingdom Government capital assistance to the smelter company has been left open for decision at the time but this capital assistance would not take the form of an equity investment. Of the capital to be raised by Aluminium Limited, not less than one half would be provided from Canada, and Aluminium Limited would be entitled to raise the balance by the sale of Aluminium Limited equity securities in the Sterling market except to the extent that a debenture issue on the Sterling market might be made in lieu. 16. Up to half of the capital required for the expansion of the capacity of the smelter from 80,000 to 120,000 tons a year would be provided by the United Kingdom Government on a suitable non-equity basis if the equity interests in the smelter company so wished at the time. It is not contemplated that it would be necessary for the United Kingdom Government to make any contribution to the capital required to expand the smelter capacity. after 120,000 tons a year had been reached. Financing the Power U;;dertaking 17. The United Kingdom and Gold Coast Governments would be jointly responsible for financmg the hydro-electric power undertaking as a whole; the Gold Coast Government would be solely responsible for facilities for the distribution of power to other users besides the smelter. The undertaking would be organised as a public utility and the finance would be provided by loans fully secured on the assets. The loans, w/lich would bear interest, would be amortised over a period of eighty years. The Gold Coast Government expect to provide at least £8 million towards the power project proper. . 18. It is proposed that a Volta River Authority and a Volta Electricity Board should be set up by the Gold Coast Government. The responsibilities of these two bodies are described in greater detail in Appendix Ill. The Volta River Authority would be responsible for the building of the dam and power station. On completion 15 Co" f.. fer • • •• • •• Mo . If f I:'li" t ' t ( • f :'i'i~iir:.5::i?i/";::';"'>~ power project would be £3t million. " .. .;..:.;.....:.,;~ :> ' "''''::':'-__ ;:;'''~J ;' ::''':' : ~ 21. The interest rate at which loans to the Volta River Authority for the power ~ ·: ....: ~.r~.~~~.~~:~::~:~.'-:~_;~:7~~·'~~:.'" project would be made has an important bearing on the ultimate cost of power to ~ .. " .. ' "'~"".,~ .... ; ' .. '. ~:.:-::':~~ ~ the smelter, and the aluminium companies have asked that the interest rate should be determined before final commitments to proceed were taken. Two bases for the interest charges have been considered. The charge might reflect changes in the money market; as each instalment of the loan was advanced the rate for that :.,.. -:.~. ~..:- instalment could be determined in the light of market conditions at the time. , .Y'.-".'.;' •. ' .<. Alternatively a fixed rate for all the borrowings might be settled at the time when the decision was made to proceed with the scheme; the Government or Governments would then take the risks of any rise and receive the benefit of any fall in interest C2~~&;ii: rates. The aluminium companies would be given the option of deciding which method they preferred at the time commitments were undertaken. They have, however, also pointed out that they would be reluctant to see the project financed entirely by long-term borrowing at a time when interest rates were high, thereby ~. - ' .. ~ ~''''::'-~';'''.'''..... . .. ~'. . ."..~, preventing later conversion to a more favourable basis. . ........ The Power Contract 22. The supply of power for the smelter would be governed by a contract under which the Volta Electricity Board would undertake to make power available to the smelter up to an amount necessary for the production of aluminium at the rate of 210,000 tons a year for sixty years from the date at which power was first available. The contract would recognise that other users in the Gold Coast would require up to 50,000 K.W. of the power which would be available. The Gold Coast Government, Aluminium Limited and the -British Aluminium Company would share, in the ratio of their respective holdings in the equity of the smelter company, an obligation to secure that the Volta Electricity Board would receive payments amounting each year to its out of pocket or operating costs (including interest) in respect of the power con- ,", tracted for by, and made available to, the smelter company, plus the calculated amount needed in the year to cover (a) the appropriate contributions to a renewals fund and (b) amortisation of the capital expenditure over 80 years. Provision would be made for the extension of the amortisation period by agreement if there were unavoidable delays in construction. In the initial stages these payments would be abated by the amount of sales to consumers other than the smelter company. The charges for power so sold would be detailed in the power contract. At the time a smelter capacity of 120,000 tons a year was attained the Gold Coast Government would declare what , ;.'~ , quantity of power (over that needed for an annual output of 210,000 tons of aluminium) ... " ..' "" ....... ' .. ",_ ....... ~ ,~ . ,.-;-/....-.......,-'~ ~.--,- ~-~. . ..,...~ it wished to reserve for public consumption and would from then on relieve the smelter company of the appropriate proportion of the cost of power production. Power not so reserved by the Gold Coast Government would be available during the currency of the power contract to the company. The guarantee of the power contract by the participants in the equity of the smelter company would remain in force until the smelter company had installed capacity for production of 210,000 tons of aluminium a year and had profitably produced at substantially that rate for five years. Estimates of Cost 23 . It is at present estimated that the cost of public works to be undertaken by the Gold Coast Government including port, roads, railways and townships would be £26,000,000, of which the port of Tema is estimated to cost £11,000,000. 16 t r• • l (.,- ,'( ,,,. (t' , ( \ \ " ( ' r ~ t i \ I", ~ ,.: l ", \~ .•. . . ' . ( (... . i . :. , t '- I" , ~ ··r .... ·' .~ . (: .• ' ~ ". ( 1" "( t.. , ,' " ,' •.\ .1 ' j \. t . , . I 1 ., ,::. he .... .,.. .....• .,...... .- • • rr .. .••.•.••,•.••"•• .. : ~.. • • • • ••• ••• s The smelter company woul . • ,~. 8 > *' .> > ,' " > , , • . • ~ > • • _'<\pp~DIX m THE VOLTA RIVER AUfHORITY AND THE VOLTA ELECTRICITY BOARD J. As part of the initial agreements the Gold Coast Government would undertake to create a Volta River Authority and a Volta Electricity Board. In broad terms, the functions of these bodies would be as follows. Volta River Authority 2. The Volta River Authority woUld be responsible for the co-o~dination of all planning and construction work arising out of the Volta River Scheme, including the building of: (i) the dam and power station, sub-stations and transmission lines; (ii) the aluminium smelter and alumina works; (iii) port and railway facilities; (iv) roads; (v) townships. In the performance of this co-ordinating work the Authority would consult the various Gold Coast Government Departments concerned- Agriculture, Surveys, Health, etc.-as well as the companies and others with a direct responsibility for the completion of the construction work. The objective would be to ensure the proper integration and smooth phasing of the various developments during the eight years or so likely to be required for the construction work on the power scheme and on the aluminium scheme in its initial stages. In so far as the Authority considered that such proper integration and smooth phasing was being jeopardised by competing demands for material, labour and services arising out of the development plans of the Gold Coast Government, the Authority would be entitled to call upon the Prime Minister of the Gold Coast for assistance. 3. The prime responsibility for these works would rest with the bodies financially responsible--e.g., the smelter company for the bauxite mines, the alumina works and aluminium smelter; the Gold Coast Railways Department for railway facilities; the Terna Development Corporation for the town and port of Tema; the Gold Coast Public Works Department for main roads ; and the smelter company for townships at the smelter and bauxite mines and for service roads in their vicinity. In addition to its responsibility for co-ordinating the phasing of these various works, however, the Volta River Authority would also have prime responsibility for the building of the dam and power station and for certain ancillary work. It would thus, inter alia, place the contracts for the construction work at the dam and for the power plant and equipment and make arrangements for labour camps at the dam site and for other services there, including permanent housing to the extent it then appeared necessary, water, lighting, drainage, etc. It would also undertake the clearing of marginal lands on the lake side, navigation channels and drainage cuts. 4. The Authority would be responsible for the proper control offunds made available by the United Kingdom Government and the Gold Coast Government for the con- struction work. These funds, save to the extent that they were expressly chargeable against the revenues of the Gold Coast Government, would be in the form of loans secured on the assets. The proceeds of the sale of power would be hypothecated for the service and amortisation of the loans. 5. Until such time as the Volta Electricity Board was set up the Volta River Authority would also be responsible for the preparation and signature of contracts for the supply of power and for any other agreements relating thereto . Such contracts and agreements would be assignable by the Authority to the Volta Electricity Board. 19 · ... . .. ... --.. • • • J" .. • .. .. .. .,.. .. ~ ·ii . . . • • ·.• . •• .•• ·• . •. ·· 4 .• ·· .... ..... ..· · · • • ;,. .. .. . .... '., . .. .... .. . . . .. . . r . . ..... , ,' . . .. e ... .••. • • , ; , e' • • ·• . 0 • 0 . . ''W'' . .. . · Volta Electricity Board • • • • • •• · . ·• . .• .. . .. ... .. ... « • • • • 6. The Volta Electricity Board would take over from the Volta River Authority all responsibility (including the responsibility for financial control referred to in paragraph 4 above) in respect of the dam and power undertaking when the construction work had been completed and power had first become available. It would also thereafter be responsible not only for the maintenance and repair of the plant but also for the procurement and installation of additional generating units, transmission lines and any other extensions to the original work. It would take the place of the Volta River Authority in any power contracts and other agreements entered into by the Authority and be responsible for entering into any new commitments for the sale of power. Constitution of the Authority and the Board 7. Both bodies would be established by Gold Coast legislation. The Volta River Authority would take over such commitments, records, etc., as might seem appropriate from the Preparatory Commission. It would also offer continued employment to such of the staff of the Preparatory Commission as it required. 8. The appointment of Chairman of the Volta River Authority would be made by the Gold Coast Government with the concurrence of the United Kingdom Govern- ment. Consideration would also have to be given to the appointment of a whole-time Deputy Chairman or Chairmen in view of the magnitude of the responsibilities to be undertaken by the Authority. Their appointment would likewise be by the Gold Coast Government with the concurrence of the United Kingdom Government. 9. The Chairman of the Volta Electricity Board would be a whole-time officer appointed by the Gold Coast Government. The appointment would be made with the concurrence of the United Kingdom Government so long as substantial loans •• .I :J'-- ~~. -' _ ,.... by the United Kingdom Government in respect of the power project were outstanding. " - '." The Board, as well as the Volta R iver Authority, would contain representatives of the Gold Coast Government and prominent persons in the territory, a nominee of the United Kingdom Government and, at least throughout the construction period, a representative of the aluminium interests. APPENDIX IV VOLTA RIVER PREPARATORY COMMISSION Terms of Reference 1. At the discussions between the United Kingdom Government and the Gold Coast Government and the two aluminium companies which were held in Accra in June 1952, it was agreed that the next step to carry the project further should be to • establish a Preparatory Commission with which the aluminium interests would be associated. The duties of the Preparatory Commission would be as follows:- (i) In conjunction with the Gold Coast Government, to determine the phasing of the project with other Gold Coast Government development projects in the light of the available resources of the Gold Coast economy, including the adequacy of the Government services. . (ii) To take part in the determination of the constitution' and powers of the Volta River Authority. . .. ;; ~ ,.--r-~". ';~ - (iii) To continue the development of the necessary preparatory work with the assistance of such staff as the aluminium companies could make available, and ' .' to employ such consultants as might be necessary for this purpose. (iv) To take part in the preparation of the Master Agreement, and of an 'agreed timetable and estimates of cost of the project. 20 ..- ~ , • " ", ~ ~ .. !! .;. ')~ ~ ~eo ~ 0> 0 ., .. J '\ "' .• ., '\ :) "'\ "'\ . ., ~ ) ., )) ..J;;l .::> :).,. ;, ., ") Constitution of the Commission )' 0 , ' 0 • • " • . , 2. It is proposed that the Commissio~ sh~~ld' ~ ~der~ ~ Sp~ial Cdmmis~io~~; who would work in close association with two Gold Coast Ministers, namely the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Commerce and Industry. He would be appointed by the Gold Coast Government with the concurrence of the United bt~~~r?~ 7~;~~ Kingdom Government. The appointment would be subject to notice on either side, .' -': '-~~_~,-":''''':':'-''''' ' '''' .-:_':''''.:''''-''r:-. .... _-~- .... _ .. _.r~ the Gold Coast Government agreeing not to exercise their right of giving notice without the prior concurrence of the United Kingdom Government. .~~~··:~:~:;:~~:~~~;·~:~~~:~,;i:~:~~;~·:~:~; ~.~.~ - '...cO ~ ,;: ..... :,:>-._::::/:" ..... - ,,<,~::'~' __;. :~??.':,_-:_ Initial work of the Commission 3. It would be the first duty of the Special Commissioner on proceeding to Accra to establish, in association with the two Gold Coast Ministers, adequate liaison arrangements with the local representatives of the aluminium companies and with all the departments concerned of the Gold Coast Government. ~.:.~}.i~li~ The existence of liaison machinery of this kind would not prejudice the right ...~ '"'' . - .;-~~ :~~:'~,~:~ ..: ; ':" of the Special Commissioner to have direct access to the Prime Minister of the Gold _ " .. :;~. _,-~,~~~:t:_., .. : ."., Coast. . .~-~"~.~; :~: <':--.~ ... -'~ . .. :. . "" "~,~; ;:~;:, :"~: ~~ "~;~./;"~":~~, - . The Special Commissioner, in association with the two Gold Coast Ministers, would be required to submit progress reports to the Gold Coast and United Kingdom Governments at regular and frequent intervals. These reports would also be transmitted through the United Kingdom Government to the aluminium companies. He would be required to submit his final report and recommendations with all reasonable despatch. Subordinate appointments 4. Subordinate appointments as necessary would be made by the Gold Coast Government in consultation with the United Kingdom Government and the Special Commissioner. Finance 5. The cost of the Commission would be met by the Gold Coast Government in the first instance, but half would be reimbursed by the United Kingdom Government. If it is decided to proceed with the scheme the cost of the Commission, which is not expected to exceed £400,000, will be borne by the scheme. A supplementary estimate on the Ministry of Materials Vote will be submitted to Parliament in due course for the United Kingdom share of the cost of the Commission in the financial year 1952-53. 21 • .J ,J~ ~ i ... .... . . . #.- -..' ..'" . .~ . ... . . .. ' .. .. . .. " ... . . • " ••., 't ~. r . " . I( ., • C , _ t • ., , < < • <. ..,.' ,,~ . < < < ." :;:, 'z" ~ (") tI) < 0 u i- I a:: I ,i '" 0 , '" I Ul I > ,! :r: 1/ i j : .. -0 f - -' :;.J~ .1 .... I-' ~; I .' I J VOLTA RIVER ALUWIHIU'" SCHE"'e GOLD COAST x " lt' of M,lt) • 0 )) ,0 R".I"" .y) R4111 ...../ ~ PropoSf'd Roed) 1M ~ .. pO't .., q ~ It T,._ (I" P'tJpOI , d dMn .t A)~fI •• ''1(1 tft, ~t;",.ft ..~ ", tm,lt"M Ifpong L- -- - -.- W,,'.t from ur,. l' U«.IM·"u69 " 22 (11152) (176046r) WL Il3~16-42 K6 II /52 D.L. PUNTID IN OUAT allUTAIN , , ~. " .. l -. , I I,' I" \) .. ~ ." .(.'I .-t,t. '" . j • \' .' f ~----~~---------------------------------- ', J- :::;;;'~ J: fr°-' Memorandum of Conversation '----../ DATE: February 4. 1953 SUBJECT: Detwiler Plan for Gold Coast Development. PARTICIPANTS: L. E. Detwiler, President, United "eric~_ Ma.nagement Corporation AF .. Mr. Cyr ~ · ~!2.i$'I:+J to Pie~Q (;i(J.rm D~ ~ . , . . ~, . - - .- . .. -. ~ 0 t:J " .... .. , .... -_ .... . _. .- + .. " ..... ---- t~;' .. (!) n ~-~ ~ t~ COPIES TO: S .. Mr. O'Connor AF .. Mr:·,f);~~~-.ii~·ia~~.;· ~~~~~~ r NEA - Mr. Radsel ElI> .. Mr. smitH: ----:- _0 ~ H .. ](iss Kirlin AMCONSUL .. Aocra, Gold Coast, W.A1'rica ~ AMEMBASSY - London (Palmer } ' " r 00 \ ~ " ';( ~. : Yesterdq Mr. Detwiler came to my offioe at his own request _t o dis-~ ~ cuss his-PllUl for partioipation in the management of the Volta River t. -. pro jeoto In hi s letter of January 22 transmitting the Detwiler Plan to ~ ~ Seoretary Dulles. he states that he and Dr. Bond "have been authorized ~, by tne Prime llinister (Nkrumah) to pursue further this matter. whioh I\) involves a proposed self-liquidating loan of approximately $600,000,000 I from the U. S. Government te the Gold Coast Government." He did not ~ show me the letter. but asked fo~ advioe as to how to prooeed. en (1.j I informed him that govermnent-to-governm.ent loans are made through normal diplomatio channels. which in this case would include the British. Mr. Detwiler said he had hoped that there might be sane other way to pursue the matter, sinoe his. plan is in competition with the British plan for Volta River development. I indioated that I knew of no other way to pursue a government-to-government loan. C'""::I -O:,. ''';.~l}..4, Today Mr. Detwiler called me on the telephone to say that he had ~-:--r disoussed his Plan with several Senators, wham he did not identify, ;;.:;: ~ \ .. ..,J It.. ~t~' and ~-b (.- 158053 =- (f) ,~ 3: - -'. CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY INFORMATION ::t:> ;0 ; ~I \. r- ~ ReT _____ _ N ~ " ',,I . ::.J~\ ,, , . , " .. ) ,, j > . ) t.0 ~ ". , r - ~ 7~:r~~- • .. .• . ,, , . ·•. ••· •• • •• • •• •• •• ••• • e e (J:l • • • , , :. ,' · ·• . • • ••• •• •• •• •• W rr, ~ ;;-..:/---;/ • •• •• e • c ••• • ••• •• • . ... ... ~ • • - •,~ . • ·.. ·0 ... ... . ... 0 ... ... '- • ·.. •• .•• •• •, .0 • • · -> - . .. ·· ... ••• ·• • .. • ... • ·•• ·• ·•• ... ·• ·• CONFID~NTIAL SECURITY INFORMATION and that it seaned agreed that government-to-government loans must be handled through diplomatic channels. He said it had been suggested, however, that a modifioation in the Detwiler Plan would make it pos- sible to aToid diplomatio channels. It had been suggested, according to Mr. Detwiler, that if one or two of the interested A1nerioan oor- porations could obtain a oonoession from the Gold Coast _Government oOTering the Volta River project, such oorporation or oorporations oould then apply to DMPA tor a loan tor its or their own aocount. He oi ted a case in Jamaioa where this procedure had been followed in OOll/ot neotion with an ECA loan to an Ainerioan oanpany. He said that he has an appointment at 3115 p~. today to discuss this matter ~~~ Vioe Presi- dent Nixon. I reminded Mr. Detwiler that my oomments yesterday had been predi- oated on his original Plan, lIhioh involved a goverDl1ent-to-governoent loan, and infomed him. that I was not tamiliar with the prooedure tor· DMPA loans to private oompanies. I thanked him. for keeping me infonned and he said he will let me know the results ot hi s meeting with the Vice PreSident. In both yesterday's and tod~'s oonversations with Mr. Detwiler, I had in mind the report ot January 14 which the Deparbnent has reoei ved trom our Consul in Aoora stating that Prime Minister Nkrumah was not impressed with Mr. Detwiler and Dr. Bond and was not interested in his proposition ot making ~erican oapital available in oonneotion with the Volta Hi ver project. The report also states that the Prime Minister could not attempt to alter the finanoial arrangements a8 presently con- templated with the British. I am informed that Assistant Seoretary Morton will apprise the Vioe President of the substance ot the report tran our Consul in Aocra. ,. ...~ ..... or· ,J. t: • t!T~ -NEA:AFILGCyrasdt CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY INFORMATION · ·, .. . • • ... . • • .. , •• • .." J .. , ·• • •• •• .., J, · J. -' 'J ., • . ·· ·.. . . . • ·. · . • J. ~ .. • t , •• J .. .~. : .. .R E..S.'l R.I.C.T I:m :.. : :.. :. . .....11 ()_ ~¥I f) • --<........ >---">---= - ........... ~ : '~ . ~ D~Pl\~M~NT: O~ ~tiTS-:. PjY~. of ! 0/" Memorandum Conversation (TELEPHONE) l~- -' i} DATE: FebruarY 5. 1953 SUBJECT: Detwiler Plan for Gold Coast Development. PARTICIPANTS: L. E. Detwiler. President, United Alnerioan Management 9orporatio:a AF .. Mr. Cyr OPIES TO: S .. Mr. O'Connor AF - ,Mr. Feld NEA - Yr. Hadael ED - Mr. Smitll H - Miss Kirli:a AMCONSUL - Ao.ra. Gold Coast, w. Afrioa AMEMBASSY - London (Palmer) <;00 . ;:ga .... »("90~Ul ;il ~ tD ~ b=================================================================~~1-~1~_f=, i OOm ~~ Yr. Detwiler telephoned to inf'ona me that he had had a long and ~ ~ fruitful disoussion yesterday with Vice President Nixon Oll the above • c+ subjeot. He said that about nine high offioials attended the meetin~~~~ gp -. 8- Q) ::0 Aooording to Mr. Detwiler. representati TeS of seTeral Government -. l"!11'M9!E"!x!lalxxi:Ja«.cmlDnx(llu;)twa:x~~~~~3t i1rjc~ (_our: Aocra Consul's report JAN 14 oontradiots some oJ: Detwiler's contentions~ \) v---~~~xUx;rxlalgrt:ilmS:.: xmtmtnamm:xalxll:nxi:m«.n.xlt~II!&n~ ~ ( ____ ~Request you take advantage th~s opport~ity obtain, ful~ info~ation f~~~ul ~ TION - ~~~~~.I!!JI!!!.!!IxiiiairlraxJn:Xwt~ - f£D"-+--d' Volta Soheme ' and partioularly Nlcl"Ulllahts attitude towards Detwiler's p'roplltl'U. ; hbtmJmbaxa~~X1&IIti~~~~> \ ~_titimtuiti\xfmt~~· 0 UL ~ : ~etXq_. ~) Cleared:~:-:"""If' MSA:orS:WEl1oran,Jr~ 2!o/!'3 ~eONfl1JENTIAL. ':~UNn: ~O~TION MSA:FitZGerUd~' \PI'"~ SL S __ ~r.4M ' •• cL4s~IFlc:!ATI9N •• •• •• STATE: """""(AF) .. ' ~~ r"{ ~ ,; ~ .. • • • •• •••••••••• VJ..L --'~ c'orrections m~de on th,i_S _or_ig_in_a'. .M._ U_S_T _be_ ma_d_e _on_ a'_' _ --=."tol-__________ ~ING TELEGRAM .~. . -...D. .eFartrnent . P,J1~ . Sltlt.C . .. ••...•. . .... ->~ ., ... ., ,,. ~ " .. ..,,, " •• CONFIDENTIAL sEcURITY niFORMATION ( ) / Control! 9755 \.. .J Rec'dl February 24 :-r953 FROM: Accra 3:02 p.m. TO: Seoretary of State . )) (, NO: jJo"\lJllbeX'eg-; February 24, 2 p.m. 110 . DEPARrfl.mNT PASS LONDON -m UKNVH15FRf/:) Dechert and I had interview (re DEPTEL 63, February 10 for Bayne, MSA, from Moran) with Nkrumah February 21. Latter said that he ~aw Detw1ier once only (as reported my despatch 72 January 14) has heard nothing from him since and has not (repeat not) received any proposal from hi~ ~ 7- Detwiler was here about two weeks only. Since Nkruma J ~ r '· presently advooating aooeptanoe Eri tish White Paper e-a- ({, Volta projeot before Assembly, Detwiler's version at~sr 4 ~7 evidently not (repeat not) reliable. (i(j. . r\r~ CO ~~ JAK:FBH/15 ;:\"\ w= NOTE: Passed london 2/25/53 - 7 a.m. EJH. - , vl I ',;. . f\) '.'.'. ~ CJ1 {)j n 0 ~..... ~ 3: .)::. ~ :::0 I ...... 0". r, -0 ~ ~ t?;j to t;; "T1 } <.n w ~ CD . ,~ C~1f'tl:1E(l'~.u; ~lJlTI~ lr&;o$!~~~ REPRODUCTION FROM TH:J8 :.' : .. '.": '1 I I II " •• : ~." : ~ •• ~ . I COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, I • This copy must be returned to DC/R central files with notation of action taken ~OHIBITED r CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY INFOR~TIOij / Control! 9590 Rec'dl February 24, 1953 FROM:Accra 3:18 p.m. TO: Seoretary of State A L NO: 117, February 24, 3 p.m. In course interview with Dechert and me February 21 Nkrumah asked whether American capital would indirectly participate Volva project through affiliation of American Aluminum interests wi th Canadian Aluminum Company. If feasible would appreciate .., n t1 information re nature any such affiliation which I might pass ::::: ~ ~ informally to Nkrumah. ~ ~ :;13 Cj I-' COLE CD ~ MGG:WJS/5 v1 ?\ • I l I t I i ~ CO N1~I-))~Tl:i\L~ ·SE~tiRj:~: :.rntdIoohi< )N~ . : R~PRODUCTION FROM r,!! PfIIIANENT •• • • • •• ••••••• ••••• COPY, If CLASSIFlED,t IECOID COPY • This copy must be returned to DC/R central files with notation of action laken ~OHIBITED :u ,. ,"' ,--\ FROM : AMEMBASSI, MONROVIA )62 DESP. NO. . ~_gnp TO : TilE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASIUNGTON. Mav 26 0 1953 !..:, ( ' : DATE 7J " (~ Dept i 8 telegram 399 9 April 29 8 1953 and classified airl ~2 REF : !l=g5» March 9~ 195) , '1 ('+ C, 58 ACTION DEPT. \ :: ~ ~ For Dept. NEA ~ EUR OLI E S / AE PD Sf F:"R/X \ t:: ~ ~ Us. Only REC"D F OTHER I~ cr ~ mlr JUNl 0 • cP~ SUBJ70): Julius M. . Belcher I .I n accordance with the ;eference telegram!} Julius Mo B~HER wa~ requested to call at the Embassy» in order to extend his affidavit to include denial of membership in the Comaunist Partyc Belcher on .May 19 stated that he felt that the Department was not giving him what he considered to be fair treatment" He had made OJ his initial affidant in good faith and 1n the absence of any specific ~ charges he could only state his denial in general terms.. Since~ bow= 01 ever, the Department was not satisfied with his initial statem~nt9 he A felt that he shou1d be informed of' the specific charges which have ' . been made against him.. He stated tat he was per.f'e~tly willing to make I\) an affidavit concerning any alleged membership in the Communist Party en at this times but he felt that he had the right to be more f'ully in= formed s not necessarily of' the informants 9 but at least of the nature or the allegations which had been made e When he is informed of the charges s he declared categorically that be would answer them under oath .. I (\) . It is also pertinent that the Department be informed of Belcheris en activities in Liberia and the Go~ Coasts since he believes that the tn charges of communism have their origin in his activities theree . I Belcher represents the West African Development Corporation which apparently was set up to act as agents for other American firms interested in mining developments on the West Coast of Africas The two companies which BeIdler mentioned as being primarily interested in his work are the Standard Ore and Alloy Corporation g 120 Wall Streetp Rew York8 and The ' FrOzen Food Institute» InCe9 90 West Broadway 9 New York, at' which Dro Ge Hodges BRYANT is primarily interested in Beleheris activities o Belcher first went to the Gold Coastv where he claims to have found large deposits of manganese and iron ore.. 0 While there he worked closely with Prime Minister NKRUMAHo As yet 0 Belcher has not obtained a concession for the manganese developmentQ 0 Belcher claimed that the United American Management Corporations ~ New York~ of lrbich Louis E" DETWILER is prominent ~ has already ~ached g.. .. ~ ~ 10 . ..... c,.., t:"" ~::.t. .[ ':-~ coolLDmxiAi. :· I: :. :: iD ~ rZ~ • • ~G • •• • ••••• I N FORMATION COpy ~ ~rri Desp. 1'~~~ From>- -===-=-....:.==---__ " . ~ ,. ,L..,.--_~.....,..."...--...,_-......- , ~ ... . . ....... .. <"' ... ... .. .. ........ •• ~. • •• r-;; &&re-en-t v1~h lIkrwaah tor aineral d.velo~Dt 1n the Gold I conditioned on the gl'Oupl's obt.a1n1Dg t6eOOO.,OOO .. t1.nanelal. IAlpport troll the 'United States., (Sa. F.abaS.yi~ CoD.t1d.cnt1al Dilspat.eh Roo 299, AprU 9, 19539 and pro'rioUti corrospond_eo on DetwUer). Belcher dee a not believe that De~vller can obtain this amount aDd that eon.equctl.y Belcher" II group will be able to obtain tho CODo o •••i on tor JIUIIl&&n ... d ....e loplMnt in the Gold Coast.. This eone• •c o .ion would bG in addition to the British group presently aiDing aanganoae in the Gold Coast e . ~ . In preparation ror inveataant 1n this do..,olopillent g Standard (Ire and Alloy is 8Ctndiug a GerllilD g.ologll1t to L1 beria and. the Gold Coaat. Dr''; Franz Ho STANG g c/o Bollenhagen and COe Glabh p Koeicsall• • U co16. nu.Naelc1orf' (I GeHlaDY FJ ' is expectod 1D )(onrovia within threo w• •• o He plaftS to inTeatigat. Bel cheri a @laiJu both 1n tho Go~d Coast azul 1DI.1berlae . .. .. Belcher ala 0 , eta~.8 that. be uneo't'erecl so_ sUliples of rare earth iii tho'Gold CoasteTho samples wre- subllitted to the American COIle. . AlatepAccra~ lIidch pruuaably torwudod _t hem to Wasbington. . • ' 1 . . ~ ~~ ~ ~:. .. .. When Bolcher had ea rr1ed -hi. inT. t1gatiarla in the Gold Coast · •• ·- tar aa h. could Wthout- aoro financial backing and support frOil . ~la. lfnited Si..t.a. tos p he callie to Liberia' to · await. the' arriTal of the ' n~ aentat of StaDdard Or. and ill.oy 0 Th. companT had ]iumecl too I ~!~1II1ot.her Gerwm polop,n to iDye.tigato the claDa .ar11et> thU '7e&r-&J Intt Belcher litaHcl t.hat he vu tmable to obtain 811 exit perll1t '.rma Ge.I1Il&7 Decaulo or Ilia .f01"ll1r RSDAP (1Iui Party) ~DDoctiCl1 •• " ~;, • M.., • • .. ,'I'·~.:y~ 'iolchor uriy.· 1D JIonroua 1n January aDd HcUt.:t>ed at the ,;1Npal"t1UDt of ~eult1iH anct CaaC"ce u a diUlond uporteJl>., Since " ••n iU7 h. ' bas 'baa a.aling in a ael1 way 1D di8llODda in Liberia • .. ·.Jre olai_ ~ ~ haft ~b.m nippmg an aTe:t>age of 100 ~arat. of di8JlOud8 .~ '. _Oilth to the world market a.nd to Hew Yorko . Se. EabasfJy9 a Conti. .. . 8at1&l DeapAtch .O~ )619 'datecl "'1' 259 1953) e He hu al&lO dODe .0. . P"QIpectiDg l'or iren ora iD Liberia • .. ~ - - . --;:;; Belcher iltated that he had planned to trayel to the Gold Coaa~ wi'tb 1)F. . ~ StaDe Within au weeDp and h. th ....f or. requested that the D6~t pt1'll1t hill ·the uatl ot hi. pasapart fOr'thiM tranl. Be , ,W.ie~ ' tbat it. 18 1i1 the int. ...t . of the United State. Go'1erD1l_~ ~~':' .4.&llc. - h1s wort in the Gold Coaat a-ad thereb;y aecur. the ~. ~.1iaagan.-s. cGDco.ion tor J.aerlun cOIpani.... He 1s wUl.1ng to CODe:. , iba ~ any passport liaitatiooll wh1eh the IMpartilet a1ght propOse. . . . - ~ , ~ ,p ,~p'arf~n~. Of ~f.tl'~e. ) ) " \ 1 " -. ,,, .) !'I • I' --~-----) ----",~ 1 1 .. " , UNCLASSIFIED FROM: Accra TO: Se~retary of State NO: 120, February 26 SENT DEPT 120 RPTD LONDON 4. legislative Assembly approved February 25 by vot 3 con- tinuation negotiations with UK Government and British and Cana- dian aluminum interests along lines defined British White Paper Volta River scheme with object of arriving at final agreement for implementing Volta project. Also expressed view that pre- paratory commission provided by Appendix 4 of White Paper should be enlarged to include two members to be nominated by Assembly •. COLE TT/l " r .,:" . ...., ~ " ' ": ',/ -:.:ot '>r )1:-. ~.r r~.' '4~r)..;;,:~:' ~1~:"~: .j t"~"?" .' ~ ~;. '~"'f!i. - '_':",:,z,. ( Ell- Mr. D. Smithl ~'~6 .. ,.1. .,. .. ., J ~. ~ .-. .~ .. . •.• ·· • ...... ) ~ • - • • • • ..... ... ) •• . J J ~ ) " • • • • • •• • • •. •.. . .•.• •., , _ DO! NOT TYPE IN THI S SPACE FROM f O REF 1 For D e pt. EUR* OL1* E Use Only REC--U- F OTHER l'fAR 17 o CQt.1M* IN }1SA * SUBJ ECT : Transmitting Copies of Prime Minister's St atement on .... ct ( I-' ::s - the Volta River Project. \ CD c-+ :;..0 ff tn,~~ ( i ;; .-::': _.,) I • ~,..." J , I Supplementing my telegram N6~\. f20 ;f- o'F,~~~'ry 26, 1953 (re- peated to London as No •. 4) there are enclosed five copies of the I\1otion by the Prime Minister in the Legislative Assembly res- 00 pecting the proposed Volta River Project. As may be observed ~ from the statement, the Prime 1I1inister was concerned at the volume of criticism which had arisen regarding the project. He ~ undertook to allay suspicions that the Gold Coast would becom~ • a victim of British "economic imperialism" by emphasizing that I\) the British White Paper on the Volta River Aluminum Scheme con- en tained proposals only, and that the Gold Coast Government would ~ "agree to nothing which will endanger our economic independence k ~ • • ••• ". , He then went on to correct certain erroneous view about t~" the project which underlay a good deal of the adverse criticism o - ~ ,_. During the ensuing debate on the project, many members of the Assembly - including some who belong to the dominant Conven- tion Peoples Party - spoke against the project for one reason c;r another. However, at the end of three days' debate, the motion was carried by q decisive vote of 50 to 13. During the course of the debate the original motion was amended and there- after passed in the amended form. The motion on the Volta Project as finally adopted recm as follows: 2 _ "That this House in_ the 'light of the further stage reached in the negotiations on the Volta River Project as set out in Her Majesty's Government's White Paper Command 8702, and having regard to t he terms of its resolution on the Development of the Volta Riyer Basin made on the 25th April, 1952 , approves the continuation of the negotiations and the establishment of a Pre- paratory Commission wit h a view to arriving at a final agreement which will be in the best interests of the Gold Coast and that the Gold Coast Government do take ~ up with the United Kingdom Government the views expres§:Sd s L by the House on the Volta River Project, especially that :r t....:', t?=:l to t:1 Ihlliam E. Cole, Jr'z:hl"",> ~ ~~9~~S~~~I~l2-J. OJ • ..... u) ' REPORTER ; , 0 , > • J > ~ ••• •• •• ACTIOr~, r:~1~;7"" !DEPfwt~~1 wr ~1~Tt. : The action omce must return this permanent record copy to DC/R files with an endorsement of action taken. "' UNCLASSIFIED Encl. NO.L._ __ Cold. I COl.I.st ~--+.' :;;---:"1)'>-,.....-.. .'. .- --' , . • CJe3p. N o. ___ ) . '(CJIU ,;;pcN'on) , ' ~: ~ r:rC:m..~ :~'-_____ ; ~ .. .. 0# ;a . "' ,. ~ ",:f • 'II : ~ 10, :: ., "l " " \ "" of enlarging the Preparatory Commission to include two other members nominated by the Gold Coast Legis- lati ve Assembly." !oluch of the debate was concerned with the Preparatory Commission described in Appendix IV of the British White Paper. The objections to the composition of the Commission as contem- plated in the ~'lhi te Paper were overcome by amending the original motion to recommend the enlargement of the Preparatory Commission by the addition of two members nominated by the Assembly. ~'f@'-);!' American Consul Copy to London. EnclosureP "Volta River Proj ect - Mmtion ,by t he Prime Mini ster in t he Legi slative Assembly on 23rd February , 1953 " . L .. I." . .~ mC~AS~r~~._ J .!. . •.. ... , , , • .•., , I , , > •• .. • · I , I , , > , , • ·• . ·• • • ·• , t J , , . , . II • ••• .. ... •• :"' '" • £. - < .,I I I MOTION merely a simple statement of the essence of a project in respect of , which-and thiS, Me. Speaker, r Wlsh most clearly to emphasise-- ,. The Volta River Project final declslOns have yet to be taken. There is still much work of' _• .. _ _. ,.:, MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT (DR. KWAME preparation to be done; negotiations must continue· we are still :\'KRCMAH): Me. Speake~,.! beg tomove the motion standing some way off from being in a position to place befor~ the country; on the Order Paper, namely. That this House, m the light of the a, cut-and·dned scheme. ThiS 15 the point, Honourable II1ernJ;!2 further sta~e reached th,e negohatlOns on the Volta River Project . "hlch appears t8 have been considerably mlsunderstoQd i-;-..:.., ,~-­III as set out m Her Majesty s Government's White Paper, Command q~arters. Certamly It has completely escaped. ,those who h ve ' Si02, and hanng regard to the terms of its resolution on the tned to persuade. some of you that you should reject the scheme 0, _. • Development of the Volta River Basin made on the 25th April, out of hand .. Such a course would indeed be madness. By all -' ~ ~ - -. 1952, . approves the contmuatlOn of the negotiations and the means let us see clearly where we stand; by all means let us resolve . estabhshment of a Preparatory Commission with a view to arriving the problems that appear to us bv full and free discussion of them ' ", at a final agreement which Will be m the best interests of the Gold but let us do so with proper regard for the true facts of the situation: Coast ". • i", We are ·not being. asked to accept i" toto .. scheme which is. ...., , _ _ _ Honourable Members,. in rising to propose this motion, I do complete from ,A to Z: We have reached a stage in our negotiabo,!? ,. ,r not, I thmk, need to remmd you that some ten months ago this· WIth the other participants m thiS project when It seems desiraple 1 House welcomed the proposals embodied m what we calrthe Volta · to report pro((ress to thiS House. The creatIOn of the Volta River ' Ri"er Project and gave its approval to the further negotiations Project IS takmg shape before us-it is a good deal clearer than when necessary to carry the scheme forward. In the comparatively we I~t looked at it, but it IS still not ·clearly visible in every- IintP-" .- ,.,." ·. •1 . short hme that has elapsed smce that occasion, your Government m e'\ ery ?ctatl. Our mmds and our honns ,"..jlJ help to -draw _tp~: J have pressed forward with the negotia.tions and now we have come final detailed plans, and when -they are finished and we have exammed ~·"1' again to report to you the progress made and to ascertain your them, we shall b'e able to determine exactly how we shall 'build " - ._ views on the negotiations as they have so far proceeded and to seek and mdeed whether or not we shall build. To attempt to decide: afresh your mandate to proceed further with these negotiations. on them now while negotiations are continuing would be illogicaIl ~ and would, I am sure Honourable Members will agree, justly aese~ J the opprobnum whicbsuch an act would calI down, , ~- t ~)- .: Were there no other considerations in this matter, I should have been content to-day simply to put this motion before you, to " 1 ' ~ · Honourable Members will doubtless have carefully stlldif;-" we are-·· ,~., "<'-. ment V"'hite Paper which forms the basis of the motion now before determined to obtain for this country the maximum possible benefi.~ us. Comment which in one extreme case has directed itself to an from the development of our national heritage" and also- I am appeal to some Honourable Members to reject now, without further quoting myself again-" we shall agree to nothing whicb will .. , ado, ,,~thout further thought, this great project for the industrial endanger our economic independence", and I have also made it. ...... development of our country. clear in the past that I will never put" my name to any agreement Let there be no misapprehension as to my views tn this matter, until I am fully convinced that it is in the best interests of this Honourable Members. The emergency of this comment resulting country. I have not lost and will never lose sight of these aims. as it does from widespread, painstaking thought and discussion, But at the same time I am well aware, as indeed we must all be, -, motivated, I have no doubt, by sincere and altruistic considerations, that the object in view is not one which we can achieve alone. is a vastly important phenomenvi·, dnd one which, far from resenting, This is a great intemational project the importance of wbicb, as we should welcome. It is the manifestation of the spirit of demo- an exercise in international co-operation, will create world-wide cracy and more important, of the growing power of expression interest quite apart from its vast economic value to this country. which is so essential to the effective practice of that form of Govern- It is the most significant experiment of its kind in Africa to-day, ment. The views expressed by these our countrymen outside and one which quite rightly is to be undertaken by Our country this House may not be fully informed-indeed, I can assure you, which already leads the way in Afri<:a in the march of· prag.·~" .. Honourable Members, that they are not-they may not be guided A great many eyes all ov~r the world are on us at this marne! or shaped by the great weight of responsibility that rests on us here; and while we may well have been accustomed to a measUr~ ' they may not all be well reasoned or free from narrow bias; they limelight,. let us not allow this to make us contemptuous-...,( l..... ' may not in the final reckoning weigh very heavily on our final responslblhtles It bnngs. Let words be carefully weighed in all decision, but, as an earnest of the fact that the welfare of the country their lmpllcatlons before they are spoken. Let us not jump to is not -the monopoly of this House, that there lies willingness to hasty conclusions based on imperfect knowledge; let us enquire help us to bear our burden of responsibility, the mere fact {)f their diligently and Wlth care after the facts and having found ttkm,' existence must give grounds for gratification. . then express our views. There is ample scope for expression- of opmlOn Wlthout prejudice to the main issue. Let that consideration The point I wish to make, Mr. Speaker, is that I welcome weigh fully -,vith us. ., discussion on this matter; the scheme before us is far too vital to the interests of our country fur any further advance towards its Me. Speaker, Sir, I -am anxious that I should not take up too m plementation being made withou_t the full understanding of its much of. the time that might more profitably be employed",.,,,,",,,,,,. implications. But the White Paper is not an encyclopedia-it is m dlscusslOn of thIS matter by Honourable Members, and I do not, - "-'-'" . .. . ... l / . , , > . •.. .· •• • • • . •• • .•• • •• , .~ ". . ., . . ··· · · ... . . • ·•• ·• .. • • ~_'''=,,*,,'' ''J!IWooe; r >, • • , ) · • • • • ·• •. . . •• • • • _It. II ·• • • • ~>$ ~"'," \ ~ ~ t "-.,~"'''2 0.. 0:)- )~., ., .. 4ij ') ;)f'I. ' .. V I ., ., ;t ,1'J) -r l 1 ( refore, propose to go into the content of the White Paper ~in ~.'. e);tuna~d co!ll a! t1~e~~rst t1,~ is ~".me~£ZP·mill4>n .}t\\d tgatcpf the .jail but there are certain general aspects which I would like;t, I ";/",ay,, """,,,,4:66 miHlOP< 4Ji!0'" .the :6.1'5: pallA '..0. mob ",s that lieriine ; certain criticisms upon which I would briefly take although the Port and Township at Tema fonn a necessary adjunct Ie and I ask the indulgence of the House accordingly. to the Volta RIver ProJect, they are also, as a result of the decls:on of this Assembly, accepted as a necessary development of tOlS The first point is one that has been very widely discussed, country's communications whether the Volta River Project goes .j that is the question of the amount of the Gold Coast's share forward or not. Indeed the work which has already begun at Tema ,the financing of the Smelter Company, and there has been criti· is aimed at the construction of a general purpose harbour and only ,m that the initial 10 per cent which can later be 1I1creased to a small section of it will be required for the aluminium industry . . per cent', is not enough. In discussion of this point it is necessary It is clear, therefore, that the additional expenditure entailed by remember several things. QUlte apart from the questIOn of the implementation of the project is in actual fact only some £6 ~ther or not the Gold Coast in view of its financial commitments million and to say otherwise is merely attempting .to obscure the ~er fields can raise more money for the Smelter, we must facts. The second point is that some comments-comments which • ~r t hat the whole project is a partnership and one of the have been published in the Press-have actually dismissed the whole seII'1iaJ partners-is someone who really knows and has experience of these public works as involving expenditure which will bring: no the extremely complicated and technical process of turning return. But surely Honourable Members, it is not necessary for auxite into aluminium. We are fortunate in having been able to me to point the fallacy in this. I s it seriously considered that we ',tdeSt Aluminium Limited, who are the world's premier producers are now in the process of building a harbour at a cost of £10 million f aluminium and probably the only one that can tackle a job of which we propose to allow all comers to use free of charge? Or that lcb magnitude, and we must realise that in the ordinary ways of we shall build railways which will earn nothing? We cannot be artners 111 any undertaking, they naturally want to have a say in expected to take such statements seriously. Ie tenns. Alumin,ium Limited have made it quite clear that it is gamst their nonnal practice to mix public money with private Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is one further point which I should a~tal and they have in fact made a special concession in the case mention. Concern has been cxpressed in some quarters-again, f the Gold Coast Government in agreeing that we should be given I feel, due to an incomplete knowJrdge of the facts-that there he chance of taking up a share in the c'luity of the Smelter Company is an undertaking implict in the scheme that this Government would, -a evu.ccs:;ion \\'hich. as you can see from paragraph 15 on page 15 if it became necessary, defer or rephase'such development projects, Ltba \A:.h1.U- P.po-r... .. ha.5 !"'ot b~n cxtend_ed to the l.!ni:ed Kin~do~: as might cotTle into conflict wit.1l the scheme. Now first of ~all as ~ ..... ~ No~ I "hould like to deal with the question of control of the to the justification for this undertaking, Honourable .Members iower pruJect. Some criticisms have been made to the effect that will readily appreciate that if it is decided to proceed with this , ""fuk the Gold C(,ast contnbution to the power scheme proposed project, the whole operation, integrated in accordance with a ' !J l're5<'nt estimates (I would emphasise that point, Mr. Speaker, carefully prepared plan, must proceed according to that plan. A he amount of the ci>ntrihution and indeed as in case of other points vast sum of money including our money is involved, and delay s by no means finalised) because this contribution is only roughly in any single part of it will throw the whole operation Qut of gear .....s ixth of the total as against flve·sixths contributed by the with consequent heavy loss. It would indeed be folly to start U~ Kingdom G,vernment, the measure of control of the power on this project unless a finn undertaking of this nature had been /Vtlw+ '~"'" lJy the Gold Coast will be proportIOn to Its given. Let us not, however, forget the faCts . What will this 111 OO?trib. ct n" This calculation may be mathematically souRd but undertaking mean in terms of actualities as far as we can see them? It IS nev heless ~ong. The contribution of the United Kingdom I have already been at pains to point out to you that we are still Government is in the fonn of a loan to the public body which will some way distant from: being ready to begin this pmject, and it is awn the power ~J;eme and there is no suggestion that the United Government's belief that in fact the development already planned Kingdom Governtnent will require representation heyond that within the first plan period up to 1955-56 will not be affected, As iuggested in the \II/hite Paper which also clearly states that this regards the plan balance remaining after that date, as I already "ublic body would be responsible to the Gold Coast Government. explained to you 'in my address on the budget, expenditure of this This loan which will be repaid with normal rates of interest will be sum is being planned now and these development projects will be made by the United Kingdom Government in consideration of the integrated and phased with the Volta River Project. guarantee that United Kingdom purchasers will have an option for .. fixed period to pllrchase up to 75 per cent of the teital output of Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I said before, I do not WIsh to take up too lIuminium ingot when this is in production. much of the bme avallable for debate on this matter. I have not attempted t()..Cover each and every point of inlportance on the And this brings me to my second point. It has been ~lleged subject before us ; to do so fOl'such a vast project, even if only in out· that th,s percentage of lhe total aluminium production is excessive line, would keep me on my feet for days. But I have endeavoured and it has been inferred that this aluminium will be sold to United to make the points that I wish Members to bear in mind when they I{ingdom purchasers at cut rates. There is no substance in this consider this issue. I repeat what I said earlier. The Government allegation. It clearly states in the White Paper that such are willing, even anxious, to hear the views of Honourable Members ·aluminium would be sold in nOmIaI circumstances at a price which on this matter, not only for the advice they may contain which .. would not .compar-e un favourably with North American prices' ". would be most carefully considered, but also because it is essential [ maY.;''lte here that the actual price has not yet been fixed and :g that t his project, even in its present stage, should be fullv under· one of the subjects for further negotiation. It is to deal with stood in all its implications and in its true light. -ts. of this nature that it is necessary to have a Preparatory . ISSlon, whlc~ will call on technical and financial experts I ask Honourable Members, therefore, to give their views ecruned from the II1lernational field. on the matter now before us, but in doing so I pray that we do not allow sentiment to outweigh facts, or blind liS to realities.' Those There;" another point to which I would like lo draw attention ane. a&d. '1llian(E. Cole, Jr"/" American Consul Copy to Lagos. Dept. please send copies to: American Embassy, London MSA, London L OT Office MSA/SRE, Paris ·.. ... .. .••. ··• .i.:. ·. ~.61• . ~!D.M. . T ~..L . ·.:. .· ··• • ·• .. L. • . ···• ...• .. . .•• ·· ·. ·• , ., ,--. • '!II. _' t ? ... SESSION 1954 DAILY ISSUE NO. 15 ':.:: ........ '~¥:.::.:..:.-.-::" •. ~ ..... GOLD COAST -~-;::-~,';;;'::'-.~~ - LEG IS LA TIVE ASSEMBL Y DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT CONTENTS ' WEDNESDAY. 27th OCTOBER. 1954 ".'...... .' -" --------------------------------------------~---- ;_'N~ "l~~':'I'" ." , ,r OATH OF ALLEGIANCE CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES PAPERS LAID NOTICE OF MOTION ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MOTION-RESOLUTION TO U.S. CONGRESS BILLS-SECOND READING AND COMMITTEE STAGE Printed and published by the Government Printer. To be purchued from the Government Printin, Department {Publications 8ranch). Accra, Gold Cout THREEPENCE / .. ... ... .. .. ... .. ,.•. • . .•. • · • ·.. .· • .•.•. • .• •• . ·• ··. ·• ..• . · .. • ••· .·•. ·• .·e ' • .•. · .•• • I> .• . . . ·• • •• •• •• - .s., ..! ·· . .., ..... 0 , ., .·. -. .. .. ,~ . ~ I~ } .. .. " ~ 1 l ~ .~. \ , · ..• • • ;; ·., .. ...... r r~., .... ·· . ' . . . .. . . .. . -. • - ' .. • . ~. · . ~ . 41· 4 ' :~ •••" .. . • • • ··. ..• / f \ No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied to Members. However, cor- rections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume which will be compiled at the end of the meeting should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy c.ontaining the corrections must b e received by the Editor, Office of the Legisla ture, not later than four clear days after 1 ··~ "~,,.,::. .. the issue of the Daily Report. I - }- .,i I -. .. ...... J I ,' f L ., , , ! , l , ! , 't.- .< ~'\ ( I . \ • 1 .. t I t . l ',f, ('. ( • ~ f ( '. e ,l ~ t .f • ;'. .0(. .• -, ~~ ~ -~. f 'L . , ~. , , l I ( I , ,, , , , r~ -t ( t' f ( ( , , i ~' ;~'" ~ f" t) ., . ~ I J1 ~ 4_.. . • ' . } • . . .. .. .... ~ ... 33 Oath oj Allegiance 'Zl OCT1)('1\ askeu the Minis- further. ter of Education when GovernmenL will 1\ .... Jutoe Kaleo: Is the hon. Minister ' build the Secondary Technical College aware that some pupil teachers teach at N\'nkrom which wns placed on tho for two or three years before they go priority Ust in the ClUTent Development in for training? Plan. ~Ir. I~I'zuab: That might be possible. ~lIni<;t('rlul Sccrl'tury to'th(' :\1111')<;- The recruitment of pupil teachers to tl'\' of Education C\lr ..J . n. El'Zuah): training colleges depends on the The provision of facilities for the early availab1llty of space. expansion of both secondary education and teacher training is under review, Tl'achers trained in Hlgber with the object of accelera ting develop- In tltut10n (Salaries) ment in the best interests of the country as a whole. I regret tha.t I am not, 58. !\II'. Korboe asked the Minister of therefore, at present in a position to Education whether he will give bis state when or where any particular personal attention to be the case of institution will be built·. certain tea.chers who, having been pro- moted to posts in the Education Depart- ~ll' . .- \J)pru: By the answer given may I understand that many of the ment or Educational Units on their promises in the Development Plan are return from higher institutions of learn- just mirages which keep on going away ing, have suffered a reduction in salary every year? of over £100 per annum. ;\Ir. El'zuah: A plan remains a plan; :\11'. El'ZlIah: If the hon. Member would it is a forecast into the fuLure and • provide more specific details regard'lng circumstances may cause modifications t.he Qualifications and the posts of the to be made. teachers concerned, I will gladly look into the matter. Re-introductlon of ~tlddlc 1\' Exam. 22. :\11'. J. ' . Yeboah asked the Minis- S('condal') School fol' Somanya ter of Education when he is going to 245 . 1\11'. KOI'boe asked the Minister adopt the recommendation of the House of Education what scheme the Govern- for the re-introduction of the Middle ment has for est.'I.blisb1ng a secondary Form 117 Examination. school in Somanya; and if none, why. 1I -- :\11'. EI'zuah: The Question is being :HI'. El'zunh: I would refer the hon. I carefully examined with a view to over- Member to my reply to Question No. 2 coming the difficulties indicaLed by the 3.skeu by the hon. Member for Agona. \ l Ministerial Secretary in the debate in 1\1.1'. KOI'boe: May I be assured that the Legislative Assembly on the 12th my constituency will be considered February this year. when this Question Is being reviewed? Mr. Yeboab: Is the hon. Minister 1\11'. Erzuah: I am not in a position to aware that the present system of issuing give that assurance, Sir. certificates to pupils leaving primary schools is based mainly on favour'ltism Overcrowding In Prisons and the earlier the old system is intro- duced the better? 145. 1\11'. I. J. Adomako-1\lensah asked the Minister of Education what he Mr. Erzuab: This Question has Is making to obviate overcrolVd'lng in nothing to do with the question on the prisons which is ~tressed in tbe Report Order Paper. on the Treatment of Offenders for 1952--53. , .t ~ \ i,. ~ I ' \ l C "I ., • I " <4 ,I '" ,. .••• •• • • •• • ••• •• Oral Answers to .' 'Z7 OC·T OilE.lR. ..19 54.. ••... .•.• • .Q U8s.tt0.'TJ 8. 38. .:. . :.:. lUr. Erzuah: Construction of a new : ... ~. Itl'liIb" • •E aule~:. • Ii. th~ ~on.: •• ~ •• Central Prison to hold some 400 prisoners Minister aware that in the Kumasi near Nsawam is due to start early next Municipality a room costs £3 at least year. In addition the capacity of James and that in Accra it is £348. ? Camp, Accra, has been increased from Mr. El'zuab: I cannot subscribe to 55 to 108 and that of the prison at Ho that, Sir. from 18 to 68. MI'. Tachle-Menson: Does the hon. 1\11'. Kroho Edusel: Is the hon. Minister not know that Government Minister aware that in Cell No. 11 there ' pays higher rents for rooms that are are 60 prisone~s sleeping in one room? hired for Policemen and other Govern- . Mr. Erzuah: The Minister is aware ment officials? that there is overcrowding and that is ~ ..... _::::~_._ . ... _ •• JO-... why every effort is being made to reduce MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS it. Akrofuom RaHway Station (Concrete 9.24 a .m. Platform) 1\lr. Adomako-l\Iel~sah: Do prisons 37. Mr. J. Y. Ghann asked the Minis- in other places not mentioned not need ter of Communications whether he will expansion? consider the urgent need for the con- struction of a concrete platform at 1\Ir. Erzuah: It is not possible to Akrofuom Railway Station (Kumasi- undertake expansion of all prisons at Sekondi line) to ease the difficulties once. encountered by passengers? Prison Staff (Service Conditions) Ministerial Secretary to 1\finistry of Communications (1\11'.' A. R. 146. Mr. Adomako-Mensah asked Boakye): The provision of a concrete t he Minister of Education what he is platform to Akrofuom railway station doing to improve conditions of service will be considered when the 1956/61 and the quarters for Prison Staff. development plan is being drawn up. Mr. Erzuah: Energetic steps are being taken to carry out within the Veji Ferry (Second Pontoon) shortest possible time-having' regard to the limitations of funds and staffing- 92. Mr. J. A. Braimab asked the the recommendations of the M'Carthy Minister of Communications when a Report that were accepted by Govern-' second pontoon at Yeji will be made ment. As regards conditions of service, available. I am glad to say that, with the consi- Mr. Boakye: A second pontoon for derably increased number of warders, use at the Yeji Ferry has been ordered it has been possible to make a substan- and it is expected that it will arrive tial reduction in the number of hours during the fir~t half of 1955. each warder has to be on duty. Other '. improvements have been introduced .Comparative Wage Structure of and the rent allowance, where quarters Ferrymen are not available, has been increased . . With regard to the all important ques- 93. Mr. J. A. Braimah asked the tion of providing quarters, blocks of Minister of Communications how the quarters are under construction at wages of Ferrymen and their headmen Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi, which will employed at ferries ru,n by the United result in the provision of 240 Africa Company now compare with extl~a quarters, each with two rooms and a wages paid to Ferrymen and their verandah. headmen employed at Government ferries. Mr. Adomako-Mensah: How much is paid as rent allowance to a Warder? Mr. Boakye: The wages paid to ferry Mr. Erzuah: The rent allowance is labourers and Headmen by Messrs. 25s. in the municipal towns and 12s. 6d. United Africa Company Ltd. are the at other places. . ' same as those paid by Government to its employees on Government ferries. Mr. Krobo Edusei: Does the hon . . Minister consider £1 5s. adequate for Re-building of Prang Bridge renting a room in Kumasi or Accra? 94. Mr. J. A. Braimah asked the Mr. Erzuah: When we come to Minister of Communications whether money, Sir, I always think that figures Government' will rebuild the important are relative. Most of us here will not but dangerous bridge across the river think £1,000 sufficient; so it is not at Prang which links the North and the possible to satisfy everybody. - South. ..... . .. ·•• • .. .. . . '. " .. ' . ·. ~. .. . . · .. .. .. '. .·. • . ..... • ··• ' ·. ·. . ·. • . ·• · • · ·•. .• . ·· ·· ·• • · · .... . ·.. ·• " .' " ~" ." ", ., ~~-. ~- .. - (I <' ' ..... 39. Oral4t,7-J".s ut~.,~. t.(,'I , ;'.;..,' 8 ' " .. • • 'Xl 0CTOEER!' 19M- - t -i • • ". Questions 40 ~(r;. t t' g .. .i • '" (J '.. , • Mr. Boltkte: -~ ;'~, :pltc{P~e(l tto P/lde~ , ~ Mr. A!bOlilir9: : It appears that the this bridge- fn ' ih'6 ',nea~ fntutff b~ 'ret c hbfi.~ MemM'f W'lro put the original moving the parapets and providing question did so because of the heavy footways. The eventual replacement traffic in the area, of the bridge will be considered when , the 1956/61 Development Plan is drawn Mr. Boakye: A telephone service is up. , installed in a place when it is considered that the revenue to be derived from it will equalise the cost of its installation. ( Extension of Adeiso/Pra-sukuma Road to Juaso , Mr. Aboagye: But if! tell the Minister that the revenue that will accrue from 127. Mr. K. S. Aboagye asked the the telephone service in the area will Minister of Communications whether equalise the cost of its construction, during , the next financial year the what would he do next? Adeiso/Pra-sukuma road will' be exten- ded to Juaso, thus shortening the main 1\fr. Boakye: The matter will then road from Accra to Kumasi. be investigated. Mr. Boakye: Work has already Mr. Aboagye: Then do the investiga- '.. started on the reconstruction of the tion. I .. Adeiso-Kade road and it is hoped to Mr. Boakye: Yes, Sir. continue the construction of the road I to the north to join the Accra-Kumasi J road during the Second Development Plan period which commences in April Dunkwa-Jabeso Road (Tarring) 1956. ' ,. 142. Mr. 1\:1. Y. Kumi asked the Minis- ,i", ter of Communications when Govern- Accra-Yendl Road (Improvement) ment intends tarring the Dunkwa- ' 134~ Mr; S. I. Iddrissu asked the Jabeso road. Minister of Communications whether he Mr;Uoakye: The reconstruction and has any immediate plans for improving tarring of the Dunkwa-Jabeso road will the condition of the road from Accra to be considered together with many other Yendi as it is the mORt important road , major projects when plans are drawn for all the people of Northern Togoland.' ' up for the 1956/61 Development Plan Mr. Boakye: Yes, Sir, work has ' period:, . , . ' , already started on the ,reconstruction of the road from Asikuma,to Kpeve and Akwatia Trunk ', Roads (Extension) will also start, in the near future , on the section from Kpeve to Golokwati. The 147. Mr. S. A. Owusu-Afariasked survey of the road to the North has the Minister of Communications what reached Jasikan and is being c6ntinued. provision Government is making for the ' ,Mr: Iddrissu: In view of the fact ' extension of trunk roads in the Kade that the road is a very important one, and Akwatia area's, will the Minister see to it that the work , Mr. Boakye: The road from Adeiso, is done as ,soon as, possible ? passing near to Akwatia and thence to Mr. ~oakye: Yes, Sir:" Kade is now being ,reconstructed and , it is hoped to complete this section in f, 1956. Construction of the bridge at Wlawso Telephone E ,xchange _ Kade will be started before ,the end of (Night Service) this year. The trunk road will later be 141. Mr. M. Y: Kumi asked the Minis- continued from Kade through Prasi- ter of Communications why there is no kuma to join the Kumasi-Accra road night service at the Wiawso Telephone , near Juaso. Exchange, ' , , Mr. Boakye: The telephone traffic, Birim River (Bridgln.g). originating at Wiawso is so small that it would be uneconomic to extend the hours 181 and;'182. Mr. S. A. Owusu-Afari I,i,d.' .. ~ .-:, '.,} , of opening of this exchange as anaddi- asked the Minister of Communications tional telephonist would be requireq. (1) when Government will start the [If I rI f1 '. bridging of River Birim at Adankrono, Mr. Aboagye: What number of and (2) whether it will consider making telephone subscribers in a station war- provision in the next financial year's r"nts night service? " . I estimates' for the bridging of Blrim r"""~;":~'-,",c ",'''':e'Cr,'.'','' Mr. Boakye: Ii, all depends upon the River (Abodom-Ptamkese r9ad) if it requirement of the people in the locality. has not already done so. ' { - ', j (.{j; • , I L'. t L~ ~·c ( , ~ c C: e, ~« t( f " L \:.. "c C f C C " C " <.c < (, • , t , ( , ( t l , ( ;'" , ' , () t ( , c t ( ( (' C, e<- c' C c l Cc ( C C " ( . ,,>::' : i:. .. .. •• permission I propose to answer questions Roads Transfer Nos. 181 and 182 together. Construction of the bridge over the Bi..rim at Kade 303. Mr. John Baidoo asked the (Adankrano) will commence before the Minister of Communications whether he end of this year. The cost of another' will transfer all Regional Organisation bridge over the Birim at a point only a roads in Ashanti to district councils. few miles north would not be justified. Mr. Boakye: Roads at present main- tained by Regional Organisations will Mr. Owusu-Afari: Would Govern- be handed over to District Councils . ment consider this after the Adankrano whenever they are willing and capable bridge has been bu.ilt ? ' . of undertaking the task, lUI'. Boak~'e: No, Sir. lUI'. 'John Baidoo: Is the hon. Minis- 1\11'. Owusu-Afal'i: Has Government ter aware that most of the District any plan to provide for quarters and Councils in Ashanti have sent a /resolu- waterproof raillcoats for labourers en- tion to the Ministry about a year ago asking for the immediate transfer of gaged on this ferry? these roads to them ? Mr. Boakye: No, Sir. Mr. Boakye: The matter· is under 1\11'. Aboagye: How many mileS is it serious consideration and when we have from Adankrano to the Pramkese ferr:t finaliSed all plans in the Ministry we that it should not call" for a second will reply, bridge? Mr. John Baidoo: Is the hon. MInis- 1\11'. Boakye: I need notice, Sir. ter aware that such a resolution has been sent to the Ministry? 1\11'. Aboagye: Why is the second bridge over the Birim at Pramkese not Mr. Boakye: We are aware and we necessary as the ferry at Pramkese is are anxious to ' transfer Regional Organisation roads to the District used more than ·that at Adankrano Councils as I have just said. because of the diamond? Rev. Dzirasa: In our area we have 1\lr. Boakye: I need notice ofihat, Sir. been told that unless the District Coun- cils are prepared to undertake the cost of maintaining them they will not be Retiming of Tal'kwa-Kade Train handed over. What does the Minister 184. Mr. S. A. Owusu-Afari asked say about that? the Minister of Communications whether Minister of Communications (l\1r. Government will consider "changing the Aaron Ofo r! Atta): I should like to time of the arrival of the train at Kade make the position clear. It is the from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. in order to enable intention of the Government to transfer travellers to cross the Adankrano-Kade all roads to District Councils if only ferry without difficulty. the staff is available. They require surveyors, section officers and other l\1r. Boakye: I regret that it is not officers. If the District Councils are ' possible to retime the Tarkwa/Kade ready we will transfer the roads. Passenger Train to arrive at Kad~ at 5 p.m. This train is required to. connect l\1r. Braimah: Does the hon. Minister say all roads or some roads ? . . .'~. with the up and down main line trains . • t .. ' ... ·c:~ ..... ' .......~ -:-~~'.\ .....: o-=" operating between Sekondi and Kumasi. l\1r. Aaron Ofori ' Atta: Secondary To alter one train, would mean altera- roads. tion to all, and c.ause greater inconve- Mr. Jatoe KaIeo: Is it the intention' nien, ce to' th.e travelling public. of Government therefore to subsidize the District Councils when tj:J.e road:! 1\1r. S .. A. Owusu-Afari: Since the are transferred ?, . hon. Minister cannot fulfil the wishes of the· people, 'can the ferry time of six Mr. Aaron Ofori Atta: It is the o'clock be extended to seven o'clock in intention of Government to subsidize secondary roads a hundred.per cent. the evening ~ . Mr. John Baidoo: Is it not a waste l\1r. .. Boakye: I think that we are for District -Qouncils to -employ men to working in order not to inconvenience work on these roads when the roads the general public and we ' have made have not been formally transferred to this clear in our answer. them? ..... .... · ... .... . · . . . ' io ' . ··. .·· .. . .., .... ·. . ·. , . ,,'. · · · • .. • ·'·- Ii . .. ., · ·.~ ., 0 • • · .' . . ··• .·. . ···.. . ..... ,. ,oJ'.. " I '1\ A (> f!' •• ' C C; 43- MO~oon;-l~olVt~ to; •• f ?l ,OCTPBE. . hiM ..r. U. S. Congress 44 .. f' flr..t-.. r.j,C .. f , ,, • • c" . f , . .' roO'nON- ( ~ • ', . , ': .l'1r. .. 'S.~ .1) .•• bombo (Dourl-Na) : The Prtffie ' MinjsteX= tor: Kwame During the last meeting, this House had l\'krumah): I beg to move- ' the opportunity of expressing its grati- "That this Assembly extends its tude to Her Majesty the Queen and the thanks to the Senate and House of Secretary of State for the Colonies. on Representatives of the United States ~he occaSlOn of the Gold Coast attainmg of America for the greetings contained mternal s~lf-government under the New .... .. ~ / in the Joint Resolution made at the ConstitutlOn. Yesterday, we had the I Second Session of the Eighty-Third pleasure of hearing". fro.m the Chair I .. Congress, and declares that it will anot~er message, thIS t~me not fro.m welcome most cordiaJly at the appro- BrIta~n but .from the Umted States of priate time a delegation to representA:merI?a WhICh has had a long associa- the United States at the ceremonies tlOn wIth the Gold Coast. ,r .~.~:Fi'~·;;' I • marking the attainment· of inde- The messayge, to my mind, is a sincere ," pendence for the Gold Coast ". one. It is sincere because some years ! Hon. Members will have heard with ago many people in the Gold Coast much pleasure the message which you, heard how the American whites treated Mr. Speaker, have read to the As::;embly, negroes in America. To-day such and it is now my pleasant duty to move treatment no longer obtains. It is this resolution of gratitude and thanks therefore with pride that I learn that to the Senate and House of Representa- 'negro children now go to school with tives of the United States. I know that white children in America. We do not I can speak with confidence when I say doubt the Sincerity of the American that the noble sentiments expressed in people, that they will not look down on the Joint Resolution of the United a self-governing Gold Coast because this States Congress are shared by every country is inhabited by blackmen. member and every party in this House, and we are grateful that the name of We are very grateful to the people of this country has been associated with America and feel that when the time them. As hon. Members are aware, it comes for the Gold Coast to be fully is the policy of the United Kingdom self-governing we shall look forward to Government to maintain the closest the people of America for support in aU ties of friendship with the United States affairs 'affecting the Gold Coast and the and to work in friendly co-operation world at large. We know that America with that great country in international is a continent of mixed races and it is a 'affairs. The Gold Coast is, of course, continent that has been able to develop at one with the United Kingdom in itself by its own resources; and when these matters, but if I may look to the the Gold Coast attains its ' full self- future I am sure that I can say in perfect government, we will follow the example safety that when we attain our inde- ?f the people of America. pendence we shali continue to regard the people of the United States as We in the Gold Coast have had a trust among our friends. placed in us by nations of different I am most gratified that the United races and it is for us now not to abuse States Secretary of State has been such a trust· by being hasty in our requested" to- appoint a delegation to decisions and by refUSing to listen to this country to represent the United public opinion and thus spoil the good States at the ceremonies which we plan seed already sown in this country. to hold to mark the attainment of We feel that all parties in this House I independence. ' We shall indeed be will join hands with the Government honoured to have this delegation as to 'extend our congratulations to the witnesses of our independence celebra- people of America. tion, and there is no doubt that outside To conclude, I wish us to express our our Assembly we shall do our best to pr.ofound gratification, through the extend to them the same welcome and Secretary of State to the people of hospitality which some of us have been America, at the message sent to us and fortunate enough to experience in the that when the time comes for the Gold United States. ' Coast to celebrate full independence I ask hon. Members to join with me the people of the Gold ' Coast will in extending our cordial greetings to welcome a delegation from the people the United States Senate and the House of the United States. of Representatives and to approve this resolution, which will then be transmit- I beg to second the motion. ted to Congress. Motion made, and Question proposed, . I beg to move. that the Resolution be agreed to. .r .... .eJ, , I ,, ~( n , ' f!" , I '( .~ < "t., ."'r:( , I « , ~( .( , ( t ( L , ( "- < • " 0' ,-.-( c, ~ , , , ~ ~, " . , fa Nodon-Rtsolutio~ 'to • ''Z'/ OOTo·t! .:\i.n.:M 4·. ' .:,. .••.• u. .~~ c~.ng r~.s.;.·· 4: ...... .. .... .. . .. 1\11'. E. K. Nkansah (Oftlnsu-Kwa- :.LM1 • .K~n?.ol: •• :.% •••••• :: • ... bre): Ir1se on behalf of the gl'eathistoric I snpport also the second part of the Aahanti nation to say that I am pro- Rt'solution which declares tha t we will foundly happy to oxpress my apprccla- welcome most cordinlly at the appro- tion of. and support for. the motion of priMe time a delcgntion to r epresent t.hanks to the Senate and the House of tho United States at the ceremonies Representatives of the United States of marking the attainment of independence America made by the people's own saga- for the Gold Coast. cious and honest leader, Dr. Kwo.me Many reasons have been given why Nkrumah, by whose instrumentality this motion should be supported. I have t.he Gold Coast has received full recogni- two reasons upon which I should like , . tion by the United States of America. to speak and for which I support this We in this country should therefore ...-. .. -~ ,._- .... -motion. The first of these is that I felt appreciate the tremendous strides the very proud indeed when I notice in the Gold Coast has taken towards' nation- Joint Resolution that the Congress of hood. We are indeed very grateful to the United States of America extends the Members of the two Houses in the most cordial greetings to the Gold United States of America. We ask the Coast in recognition of the democratic Almighty God to bless our leader and ideals shared by the United States and grant him the wisdom of Solomon to the Gold Coast. This is a very vital continue the struggle to attain self- point because it absolves this country government. , and its accredited leaders from the wrong impression created outside this 9.48 a .m . country by some people who term our leader as dictator. ' 2'lr. S. I. Iddrissu (Dagomba North): The other reason for which I should I should like to speak in favour of the resolution moved by our leader. like to support the motion is the United We have heard of the sort of treatment States ' re-affirmation of its friendShip with the people of Africa, and for that that some of our people were receiving matter, the P!'lople of the Gold Coast in America in the days past when slavery as expressed in the last but one para- was being practised; and when we come graph of the Resolution. , to think of how our people in America are being treated today I think it is fair Before I am done I should like to point for us to show our sincerity to the people out that the Joint Resolution points of America because of their kindness. out clearly that respectable nations ~"hen education was being introduced have great regard for this country and into the Northern Territories it was it is our duty to keep up this prestige some people from America who started through unity. ' educating us. For this alone we should \ Mr. Kodzo Ayeke (Ho V\'est): On thank the people of the United States of the strength of the administrative union America.' which exists between Togoland and the We believe that the people of the United Gold Coast, I think a word of gratitude States of America are not only going to from the people of Togoland who are' send a delegation to this country to also fighting for independence will not witness the celebration of our indepen- be out of place. dence which is being achieved by the It is not a novelty on the part of the endeavours of our leader, Dr. Kwame American Government to send a message Nkrumah. I hope that when this to people who are fighting for indepen- country becomes self-governing, the dence because they know what true people of the United States may COll- freedom and liberty mean and they tinue to assist our leader and the people know what it costs ' a people to gain' of the Gold Coast. iJ;ldependence. As the people of America 1\-Ir. J. Kodzo (Akan-Krachi):- I rise know that there is no cOUIltry which .' on behalf of Togoland, and especially can be integrated with another, and for on behalf of the intergration movement the people of that country to become of , Togoland under United Kingdom subject to another people, I do not think Trusteeship, to associate myself with the American Government, in its sincere the Prime Minister's motion which is wishes can endorse the statement of calling upon this House to extend thanks the British Government on the integra-, to the Sena.te and the House of Repre- tion of Togoland. Moreov.er, integra- sentatives ' of the United States of tion is not contained in the Charter of America for the cordial greetings the United Nations. We know that embodied in the Joint Resolution which America likes people to become our able Speaker read to us yesterday. independent, and there will be a time ·.. .. ..... . . ·. . . ··. . ·.. .. .. . · · ... · · 0 ·. . · •• ' • •• ·• .."~ 0' .e · ~:. . -.•. • 0 .. .' .. ·• · ' . · ·· ... . ··.. • --~--------------~~~--~, ----~, ~~~,~, ~----~'~' . 47 M~tiIon.- R~u·i i'"o 1t~ .. 27·(')QTPf'.f}..E~...t9s i;. : ,(!... { •• ; .. r ~ u. S. Congress 48 f.. ',. t [MR A~~'I : ( ~. ... ~ " :;~. • , ' ~"[MR" ·Ap~oo:(.. ~ • ~ .~.l!o...D....1!. f ) f.\ tJ " (' '* f . " !l. 'i (; f .. ~ .. when this very GO"ld Coast Government did not suffer without protests and will send greetings to the people of struggles to free themselves-'-for we , Togoland because we too will be on the' -recan the gallant uprising of Dessalines threshold of independence soon. ' and Tousaint L'Overture, the. latter To end my speech I would say that immortalised in a sonn~t ,by the poet we the people in Togoland who are Wordsworth-and ~h~Ir c?untless making ail efforts to have Togoland unnamed colleagues, It IS AmerIca that . unified and get independence send 'our produced , Dr. Carver and Dr. Ralphe . t' t th A ican Govern- Bunche, to name only two negroes, appreCla IOn 0 e mer whose contributions to science and to ment. , peace are on a world scale. Mr. l\I. K: Apaloo (Anlo-South): ' That the great American people through their Eighty-third Congress and with 10 a.m. ' the concurrence of their thirty-third President have sent to us a message of On an occasion like this we remember friendship and good-will on our progress some of the distinguished personalities towards self-government must be taken who have shaped the destiny of-America to mean that in the opinion of the and contributed to the liberty of man- world, at least in the opinion of the most kind; we remember Thomas Paine, an powerful people on this side of the Iron Englishman whose revolutionary book, Curtain, Gold Coast Self-Government is The Rights of Man, found room to be no more a matter for speculation, It published in America but who ' was has been removed from the realms of later prosecnted for it when he returned doubt and probability and given an to his own country; England, whence his , assurance of certainty. ' book was smuggled; we , remember Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, . This offer of friendship and encoUrage- Alexander Hamilton, the two brothers ment on the part of the people of the Adams-a few of the Fathers of the United States must mean to us, in our American Constitution; we remember peaceful struggle to be masters of our P-resident George Washington, who after own destiny and country; what nearly leading his countrymen to victory ' and . 180 years ago it must have meant to their liberation, refused to be'president for a fore-fathers when, after their epocb- third term in order not to create a making declaration of independence, precedent for autocracy, or one man or ' France aCGorded to them the status of one party-rule; we remember President belligerency in their violent struggle to Abraham Lincoln who abolished slavery, liberate themselves' from the yoke of thus making it possible for the liberation ' King George ill and his short-sighted of the energies and genius of black oJ;' advisers. But I believe that it is not negro people everywhere; we remember tOo much , to hope that had our , own Dr. Buckhardt du BOis, a negro, and ' struggle been orie of physical violence stalwart fighter in the vanguard for the with Britain we could expect American, emancipation of the negro people from volunteers and American George centuries of prejudice and injustice ' '. Lafayettes, to come to our 'aid in the against , them in the country they have same way as the French volunteers and helped to develop; we remember Presi- the great Frenchman, George Lafayette, dent Franklin Delano Roosevelt who fought on the side of the Colonists in built , the great Tennesse(;l Valley the American War oi Independence. AuthoHty, the' financing and develop- We in the Gold Coast and in this part ment of which can be a shining model of Africa are generally proud ' of our for our own , Volta River Project; and links with the United States of America; from him we borrow ' the words "New for America is a country which negro Deal " to beguile our farmers; and last people, our fote-fathers and mothers, but by no means least, we remember the uprooted from their native land, in their ' present President of America, Dwight tragic endurance of slave'h-ood, have D. Eisenhower, not so much for hiE) helped to develop with their blood and brilliant and masterly leadership of the sweat no less than with their touching Allied Armies in World War II but for songs, ' christened "The Negro Spiritu- his courageous championing of- the als". True it is that it was in America equal rights of all in his own country ' that the black people, the negro people by his immortal saying: "If I do not whose original home is Africa, particu- defend the 'rights of others, no one will larly sOllth of the Sahara, have suffered be left to defend my own rights." And their worst degradation in the abysmal finally, we, remember the great free, depths of slavery. And although they institutions of the United States which : . ;. " -. . , ~ •••9••••••••. .. "I:. f ..... 49 Motion- Resolution to 'Z7 OCTqal!R: 1M: .: : ". !,.~. Clmpe~s :. so:: !. ·· .. (MR. APALoo] : • ~~~. ~'II. ~hes:, ttii· mast te: our: : •• •• • t obliged a world-conquering hero, untiring and steadfast endeavour to General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisen- establish and protect such free democra- hower, to assume the presidency as tic institutions in Ghana, that it can plain Mr. .Eisenhower. always be said-to alter slightly the words of a great American, Thomas One more thought and r am done. Jefferson- that our state, that is the Whenever, in our life as· men and Government of the day, is the servant, women, we are betrothed, we leave all not the master, of the people; that it is past frivolities aside, choose our friends a machine established for their use, with judicious caution, and watch our hence subject to their superintendence, actions so as not only not to offend our criticism and control ; that it is a means, partners but alsq positively to plea~e not an end; that it is a human contri- them. - vance, not ,a divine entity superior to ~.-;O.';; ~ .-:"',,~ _ _ 'c' " I liken our present motion of thanks its citizens, which they must worship ~ ', . to Congress as an acceptancE: of their and adore, before which they must bow .' " ~ - offer of engagement. I shall presently down and sacrifice; \that our state,_that outline, briefly what in my opinion, is the Government of the day, is merely America expects of us. But I venture a useful political- machinery employed to outline first,' what we expect of by the people to transact their public America. That we shall not be over- business; it is not a mystical, glorified, looked in American aid to under- metaphysical mon;:;trosity as in nations developed territories we are assured. where totalitarianism and similar So we shall , in addition to that, expect dogmas prevail. America to help us, though a small When we have ' striven, established country, to attain the proportions of and do protect such free democratic a truly great nation, not so much in the institutions here then we can truly say, material sense as in the spiritual f?ense. again, in the words of perh-aps the America's great influence in the United greatest American who ever lived, that. Nations must be used to bring the solace "government of the people, by the, of reunification to the peqples of our people and for the people shall not,' eastern frontiers, in the trust terri- perish from the" face of Ghana. tories of Togoland, French and British, who are presently divided from North MI'. Mumuni Bawumia (South to Sout!)., through the greed of imperia- Mamprusl East): Once again, we have list powers, by arbitrary frontiers. received a message of goodwill, this America should not let the interests of time not from the imperialist Govern" powers, great or small, blind her to the ment of Britain but from the Congress - real wishes and aspirations of these of the United States of America. people created by God to live together. Much has already been said by previous speakers on the reasons why we should As to America's expectations of us: support the motion before the House. the very first paragraph of their Joint r have only to add a little to what has Resolution requires us to show our already been said. This message of capabilities to establish and protect goodwill reminds us of our ability to free insti tu tions; and. from the last run our own affairs. ,We who are taking but one paragraph of the Resolution in part in leading the country towards which this message of goodwill and independence 'must not only be anxious friendship is sent to us, I quote "in to attain independence but aLso see the recogni tion of the democratic ideals working of it. We must, as statemen, shared" by the peoples of the United understand the problems of each other States and the Gold Coast. and find solutions so that we may, in America is passionately devoted to our lifetime, bring about a united Gold the ideals of democracy and free Coast like the United Stlates of America. institutions: to the ideals of the worth and dignity of man; of the freedom of 10.12 a.m. religion; of the freedom of thought and I hope that this Government and the of association; of the freedom of the country at large will see to it that the Press; to the ideals of efficiency and of confidence which is placed in us by the constant vigilance against corruption outside world does not wane in the near in their public men; of the freedom of future. . expression and criticism, however Hon. Members should join the Prime unpalatable to the powers-that-be, Minister in expreSSing our thanks to the without being stigmatised as a foreign Senate and the House of Representatives agent, or an imperialist agent, or a and, especially, to President Eisenhower, saboteur or a traitor to one's country. for sending us this message of goodwill. ... . ... . ·• . . ... .. . ··· ··.. · .... ··. · .. • ·· .. ·· ·.. . ·· ... · • (" ( , • ~ .,: ° 51 Moti01,lr.w -&().r rlu'iow~ ~~. '1i?.' OtC:YF.Q BEJl.. l,.95i ~.. ,~" U.S. Congress 52 ~ .~ ~ ~. t .~, to )llnlste(- ;of ~ 'b'ade , and. L8IboUIt ·· [MR.' AKo~ADJJtI] • .: . " ~ (l\Ir. Ako ,A'ilje1)': 'As a: n'Ian 'Who~as • Ther~' ar~ many things that we can been assoClated wlth America for qUlte " . a long time, I feel that I must say a few learn from Qur ~nends, especlally m .the words on this occasion. case of the Umted States of Amenca. At the opening of this Assembly in I can say ,:"ith a fair degree of authority July the Queen's gracious message was and certamty that we can learn a lot read to the House. There was one very from the United States of America in Significant statement in the message a progressive, economic and industrial which, I have no doubt, has greatly development of this country: We may inJ1uenced political thinking in America, • have to learn ' something from the not only in the Senate and the House of application of the results of science Representatives . but also among the and technology in America. I do not common citizens of America. . think that any hon. Members in this The Queen said that the present House would deny that, and I can only constitution of the Gold Coast was the hope that when the time comes the last stage towards independence. That · American people will not withhold was very significant. It means that the that knowledge from us-the technolo- Americans are now quite certain that gical know-how and all the other things there is nothing. to intervene between attendant thereto. At a time like this, the present constitution of the Gold 1 think if the people of America expect Coast and the declaration of indepen- anything from us . at all, there is one dence. very very significil-nt thing they would And if the American world as well as want and· that is they would expect lis Britain are all quite convinced that to pres~rve very ser~ously the unity of there is nothing intervening between the natlon. A,s ~ sald they themselv~s the present constitution and thedecla- fought for thelr mdependence and thelr . ration of independence it is rather odd oppre~sor would never .s~op short of that in this country some people still any me.ans, however d~Vllls.h, .to break entertain certain doubts in their minds. the uruty of the natlOn If It could. As I said before, this declaration made Ev~rythmg was do~e to break the by the Queen must have influenced the unIty of th~ . Am~ncan Nation, but Americans. The' Americans are a people w:der" the WIse. gUldance of A,braham who always like to look forward and Lmcoln the unIty of the natIon was rarely look backward. , They look at . preserved. the past, if at all, only as a ' source of Hon. Members from both sides of the inspiration and guidance. ' The Ameri- House would observe that just at the' cans, I suppose, would therefore expect' time when we are on the threshold of that the people of this cquntry at the our independence, and just at the time present stage in their development will when Her Gracious Majesty the Queen De looking forward and not backward- has said categorically that this is the. Forward Ever, backward never! last stage to our independence in this 'The United States of America is the'. country, some people are trying to do champion of modern democracy. We certain things to break the unity of the all remember that the Americans nation. I hope that all MeIJ).bers of the fought for their independence. It was House will agree with me that . every- a military fight as well as a moral fight , thing possible must be done to preserve - and since that titanic struggle for t~e unity of. this nation. :And we all , independence, whien in fact they won; slIl;cerely pelleve that under the wise the Americans always have a tender · gUldance of our Prime Minister, Dr~ · heart for all people in all sections of the Nkrumah, and his colleagues, ·the unity world who legitimately claim . their of this country will be preserved.. inherent right ·to be independent in There is one last pOint.- If you stand order to manage their own affairs. in . front of the map of the world and I should like to observe that at a time you look at the geographical location like this when we are just on the of the Gold Coast, the new Ghana and threshold of independence we should if you look at America and all the bther look round and know quite clearly who ' territories, you will find quite clearly are our friends or who are likely to be that the Gold Coast is an Atlantic .our friends. No nation can exist in nation. We border on the Atlantic isolation in the modern world. We are Ocean and that has a great bearing on a b01ll;ld to .make friends if we do not. have lot of things which may happen in the them. ' Of course . we have quite a future. I do not want · to talk of the . number, but we s'till have to make Atlantic Defence Community nor of friends. defence; I am only calling attention :- ,:';! .( L: . ~ I Ct <-1, ' c. " \_ ""'~ oIt ~. , ~ ~, { ;;~''.J~ " ~,~~. ~ 0,. $'-·\i . (. " .~ ." 1:.. (.(; ,<; ' . .. .. ,, <" ('~ 2' ,' , rt. (.:. f. ~,-:. ;~' '~ .; ~: ~' .' ~ '1... (. e c: l 0·' f':' (. c... ' ... ., \ (& ,t <'1(01..; ".. c.- '. I.. ,, ~ ,... , . ., •• ••• • . .. .. ....... . .. o • 53 Motions-Resolution to Z7 OC'.•Jt ):OE~ 19~' ; : : rl.R. cOt.QTasS:. M':. . . • • • ••• • ••• •• o • [MR. AKo lillJEI] • 'tMIt. ~RAIVAH·t· . ~.. .. .. . ... '0 to our geographical position as an with the number of people in the whole Atlantic Nation. And when the proper country-to discuss matters which time comes, I think the Gold Coast, affect the interest of the whole people. this brave new nation, will play its We can understand ourselves. We can proper part in its own home. advance arguments and understand Those hon. Members who were present them better, but we must not forget at Tema in May this year on the occasion that we also have some representatives of the opening of the Achimota/Shai who try to interpret our policy to the Hills Railway,. will remember the Signi- people outside and these people do a ficant and statesmanlike speech made great deal of harm. We have to educate f"• •" ... by the Prime Minister. He said, amongst those who are also responsible for the ( ......... _,:-w. ___ ._ many other things, that we were uneasiness that seems to be taking ~_ .' __ c struggling to build a nation that all place in the country today. We should other nations in the world would be careful that towards the last stage emulate but none could surpass. He .we all march together without any also said in the same speech-that very dissentient voice from any quarter at all. important speech-that when tHe proper For today we find that some people in time eame the Gold Coast nation would other parts of the country are raising not submit to the dictates of anybody; dissentient voices. What we have to -"'. the Gold Coast would always look out ask ourselves is, " what is wrong?" If -~-- .... .:,.. ..... -:. . - "".- for. its interests and do everything only our leaders would regard them- possible to enhance world peace. That selves as servants and not masters of significant statement made by the Prime the people I think much good could be Minister was repeated recently in his done to this country and we could surely speech delivered during the celebration claim the respect and honour of other of the United Nations Day and also at great nations. the historic 'Arena' on Sunday last. The United Kingdom and the · United We are coming into our own with our States of America are two great eyes wide open. We are a progressive countries that are the champions of nation and under the .wise guidance and democracy and we are very happy that leadership of our Prime Minister we those are the countries from which we shall continue to be progressive and have received messages of good wishes. wise. Every word said in this Assembly From the American resolution we find today, I have no doubt, will be re-echoed clearly that free democratic institutions in many parts of the world and, can be established. There is quite espeCially, in America. I would there- another side of the picture. We have fore advise that hon. Members should to be reminded that it is one thing to continue in this important debate with the dignity that befits this progressive establish "democracy and another thing and emergent nation of to see it thrive when established. And Ghan~. I hope the leaders of this country would a.m. bear this in mind. 10.24 lUr. J. A. Braimah (Gonja-East): I· Ministel' of the Interior (1\11'. Casely- also rise to associate myself with the Hayford): I propose to be as brief as \ speeches that have already been possible. This resolution of the United delivered. States Congress is indeed a historic one, It is true that when this Assembly in that it lays down that the continent met last His Excellency read a message of Africa is a vital part of the free world; from Her Majesty the Queen in which and the world ·cannot be free unless ske. said that this was the last stage of every part of Africa is also free: and the Gold Coast in its constitutional there can be no peace in the world until advance. This, we admit, has gone a every other country is also free. long way to convince the American Having visited the l:Nlited States I feel people to feel that there is nothing at I should place on record the very warm all that will retard the progress of this .feeling 'of cordiality and goodwill that country. is always shown towards those who A great deal will depend upon the come from Africa, particularly towards leaders who are responsible for guiding those of us from the Gold Coast. The the Ship safely. to anchor. Much depends United States has made a very rich upon"· those responsible between the contributioI;l towards democracy. present "a nd the time when complete It is significant that more than one independence will be achieved by this hundred years ago, at the time when country. We have met here today in this country was about to sign the Bond this House-we are few as compared with Great Britain, after the end .of ·.. · ...... ... . .. . .. ·· ·· . . . ··• • •. . ·· · " .. .. ·.. • • .. · 0 · ·• o . ... ·. ·· • "~." ... " O t ' . t:t ..,f ('t* ~ , t- e- --: 55 Moti~n-tRe~~Zu~ion. r.o l .:''Zl ()\J't:OllER '19M ' .. ' ~ t u.s. Congress 56 to r ~ ....' ~ f~ • " t. i f 6 ' .. ,-' c, ( [MR. CASELY"I>lA'l'FOR!l] f " 0-' & ~ . " • 'I~shdllid lik"e to 'place on record a lso slavery in America- by the instrumenta.:: the great contribution that t he Ame- ' lity of Missionary Societies t h e people ricans made in this· country during the who were sent to America as slaves last war. It is this. It was the white were sent back to Africa to settle and American who for the first time in this found the Republic of Liberia. It is ' country taught us the dignity of labour. significant that today the P resident of For the first time in our lives we saw Liberia, President Tubman, is visiting a white American stripped to the waist the United ~tates to cement the good with shirt off carrying on his shoulder relationship and cordiality that exists a load from an Army lorry, .perhaps a between those two countries. • railway truck, without feeling that there was anything shaIl:}Elful in that; We in Africa here, and indeed the rest that taught us a greater lesson we shall of the world, are very greatly impressed always remember in this country. by tbe signi'ficance of the recent decision And so it is that .we appreciate this of the Supreme Court of the United resolution which has been sent and we . ·States of America abolishing segrega- reciprocate the good wishes sent to us tion in schools with regard to education and assure the United States that we of white and coloured Americans. It is l ook forward to their contribution an example indeed to other parts of the towards the progress' of this country world that have similar problems , to 'and their assistance to us with technical face. . advice any time we call upon them. We· also ask them to take greater interest About two years ago I had the opportu- . in our progress; particularly they may nity of recommending someone from ever be willing to be helpful to us in our the Gold Coast in the Government march forward towards freedom. service to visi t the United States on what is called the Leaders Scholarship 10.36 a.m:' in connection with one of our depart~ ments that are scientific, During his Miss, l\'Iabel Dove ,( Ga): I rise, on be- travels in Amedca he came across one half of the women of the Gold Coast or two rather unpleasant experiences of who fought so nobly 'and bravely in the segregation. When he came back to cause of freedom, to support the motion his department he could not but point . of the hon. Prime Minister. I thank 'out this ' particular 'experience by ' hon. Members of the Senate and ' the recording it in his repor~. It was felt House of Representatives for their that in order not to discredit the United most cordial greetings'. ' , States he should delete that impressiori. There is aITeady a bond of friendship , But I am happy to tell the House that ' between ,the United States of America there is a .test case before t he Court and Africa. Some of the great sons sponsored by the present President of of Afric;:t went · to the United States, the United States to try to abolish worked there and studied in their Uni-' tIP-ngs that do pot conduce to 'happy, versities . . They brought back the light race relationships in the United States. of knowledge which has been an inspira- " When I TEl ad from the London Times o'f tion to millions of us in Africa. I recall only two or three days ago that every- to mind our 'own Aggrey 0f Africa, thing was being done to file a petition to Azikiwe of Nigeria, and last but ,not the abolish segregation . throughout ' the least our great leader, Kwame Nkrumah, whole of the United States, I did not who has brought self-government to lis . \ . doubt that within a short time a test in our day and generation. ' case might come before the Court as I 'am sure my Government will wel~ a result of which segregation would be come heartily delegates from the United abolished 'also with regard ' to travel States of America bn that great day over the whole ·of the , United States of wl).en Ghana is declared an independent Aine~ica: . sovereign state within the British Com- c TlfBre ' is this cbaracteristic ' about monwealth of NatiQns: " .' the wbite American that I'have always :Minister of Finance (l\'Ir. K. A. observed and I feel that I sbould put Gbedemah): It is my humble duty to it on record . . He is ,always the type of wind up tbe motion of, tbe hon. Prime , human being ' that you can discuss any . Minister conveying the thanks of this model subject with without any fear of august House to the Senate and the wounding his susceptibilities. And I House of Representatives of the United think that that is a very fine character States of America for the message of 'in any type of human being that one goodwill which they sent to us. In is to have relationship with generally. doing sO'I will refrain from a show of ' ,. . .. ."._,. , ~ "'< , c. ., c· < ., , i" ~· , .C 1.' 5" ~ , " . <, ':," (),- ( , " , i; ~l' ( (, C9' .( '-( < , " l ( , C , " .' c " ( L L ( l < ( L ''': c: "'0 1,.. ' <:' ~ < ~~ ( , , ", I , •• ••• •" • • •• • ••••••••••• 57 Motion-Rcsolutio'n to Zl OCTct.3 ~.R.! 1954.: . ..: :..:. ~ $.. ~Oi1{JrlYs:" 51. .: " ~.. ·• .0 [MR. GBEDEMAH) " "f},t \t.Tl sMoM· S~Sm.oT!· Of"OlO "Ell!'ht~ ....·. . pedantry or from the use of langunge Third CongreBs, and declares that it likely to detract from the loftly tenor will welcome most cordially at the of the motion before this House. On appropriate time a delegation to other occasion I would have taken time l' present the United States at the to 1't'ply to some of the criticisms which ceremonios marldng the attainment of have been levelled against the Govern- independence for the Gold Coast ". ment in some of the speeches which This is a very lofty and hopeful have been made this morning. But message and I hope that those who as I have said I will refrain from doing today are critical of the Governm nt as so. being dictatorial will think carefully Tht' Gold Coast has cause to be proud before they utter such statements, that such a gracious messag~ should because democracy .itself is a form of havt' been sent from the renresentatives Government which admiLs that the of the people of America~ Five years views of the majority should prevail. ago it might have been wishful to hope And if the views of the majority are that such a message would be sent from being allowed to prevail, why should tht' representatives of America beei\.use some people be critical and call that at that time affairs in this country were dictatorship? I am sure that the in an unsettled state; but I think this leader of the party in power today will country ,has cause to be proud that in be the first to denounce any charge of five short yt'ars it has caught the a tten- dictatorship. We are following the tion not only of smaller n£..tions of the tenets of democracy, and we hope that world but of the greatest nation of the this country will continue to follow day, the United States of America which the path of democracy which the is the bulwark of peace and offree living American people in Lheir gracious people in the world. I am sure that, this message 110. e told us they are looking is not the only message that this House forward to. will receive before the time comes for the celebration of independence which I will now quote from the first para- as the Prime Minister has told us in the graph of the message :- statement is already being considered. " , , . , it is the policy of the United I do hope that affairs in this country States to encourage efforts toward will not belie the hope which many independence and self-government people outside this countrv have for us truly expressive of the desires of the and I do hope that in the shortest time people. , , . as they show their capa- between now and the celebration of bility to establish and protect free independence political leadership in institutions ", this country will show that the African ". ... ~ I think this country ha.s shown that it people and, especially people of Ghana, has the capability to establish and pro- in spite of differences of opinion as to tect free institutions and I am sure that the methods of approach to problems we shall continue to do so, of the country, have come to understand- ing over great issues which affect the I beg to move that the question be now country as a whole. It is a credit to put. the political leadership which has brought events to this present position Question J?ut, and agreed to. and I do hope that this message which , the American people through their Resolved: representatives have sent to us will not That this Assembly extends its ,be regarded as premature but that thanks to the Senate and House of during the next few months before Representatives of the United States independence this country will prove of America for the greetings contained that , the American people and those in the Joint Resolution made at the who have confidence in us will be justi- Second Session of the Eighty-Third fied in extending that confidence and in Congress and declares that it will sending this message. ' welcome most cordially at the appro- priate time a delegation to represent Many speeches have been given this the United States at the ceremonies morning on the motion before this marking the attainment of indepen- House which is, "That this Assembly dence for ,the Gold Coast. extends its thanks to the Senate and ,.-~.-~ The ' House was suspended for 20 House ,of Representatives of the United minutes. States 'of America for the greetings contained in the Joint Resolution made House resumed . . . .... . . ... . · o ·.. . . . . . . .. . . . 00 • 0 .• .. • • • • .. .• • ... ...o ... ·• . ··.. .. .j '"" . ~ . ~-~~- f"r 'r ,'~ • (J ~ .,. f.''' ~' ... '"t " f]' .~ . fI ~ • 0' (!{ ( ( I " " ,.._ f' 59 Bills-: : ,,:: ,, ~ t: ; om 9C'J.!O~ER :~9<94 . e·. t Second Reading 60 11.15 a .. m . . ~)! ~41:" ~~ ' : : .... ~. .1 :'~\: [MR.~ GBE~EM~] ' ,, : BILLS-SECOND READING £1,400,000 to the Widows' and Orphans' The 1953-54 Supplementary Appro- Pension Fund, of £2,000,000 to an Endow- priation Bill, 1954. ment Fund for the University College and of £3,000,000 to the country's General '., Minister of Finance (Mr. K. A. Reserve. Not one penny of this huge ."~4 J ...... .. .,; _ Gbedemah): I beg to. move that the sum represented any real extra expendi- ' . Bill intituled An Ordinance for making ture. The grant to the Development Supplementary Appropriation for the ~,... . . ,.".,," '. Fund was merely to assist in carrying ' '/.. ' ':' " Public Services of the Gold Coast for the out the Plan, the total of which had year ended the 31st day of March, 1954, already been fixed. The grants to the . be read a second time. · ; ' . Slipplementary Sinking Fund and the The pUrpose ' of this Bilr is to gi~e Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund formal authority for the appropriation merely enabled the country to meet its of public money over the amounts existing commitments to redeem its provided in the Schedules to the 1953-54 public loans at the due dates and to pay ' Appropriation Ordinance. I should like pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' . to emphasise to hon. Members that this PenSions Ordinance. The grant to the Bill deals with appropri~tion which is Endowment Fund of the University not always the same thing as expendi- College' was intended to relieve the ture in the 'ordinary sense . . For exam- country of a certain amount '- of its ple, hon. Members will see that in the . annual obligation to pay for the expenses First Schedule to the Ordinance an of the UniverSity College. The extra appropriation is made. for the £3,000,000 put to Reserve represented a Ministry of Communications and Works ' book-keeping transaction and a prudent of £2,339,107 but this does not mean measure of saving on the part of the that there has been extra expenditure country. ". >. - of anything like ' this amount. What I would also mention that this Bill happened was that with effect from the only details the Heads under which financial year 1953-54 the former Assem- extra appropriation is necessary_ Under bly approved the setting up of a Road the other Heads which are not mentioned Fund int.o which were to be paid certain there 'were . savings of over ' £2,000,000 items of revenue such as Motor Vehicle and the net excess is accordingly just Licence . FeeS, Petrol Import . Duty, over £18,000,000. .: . !, etc., and out of which were to be paid certain items of expenditure on roads. All . supplementary prOVlSlOn is At the end of the year it was calculated invariably approved either by this that the revenue which should be paid House or its Standing Finance Com- to the Fund was . £2,040,000. This reve- mittee and all that this Bill does is nue ··had actually been received but to put that approval into final legal form. . . to get it into the Fund it was .necessary to make a formal appropriation of this , I beg to move .. amount. In addition expenditure of ' Ministerial Secretary to the Minis- £268,000 on road. improvements and try ' of Finance (Mr. 'Amankwah): plant had been provided under another I beg to second the motion. Head, that of Public Works Extraordi- nary, and in order that thil'! expenditure Question put, and agreed to, and Bill -':,' might ' be borne by the Fund it was read a Second Time. necessary to make a further appropria- ' , . " , - tion of this amount by way of grant to The Customs (Amendment) ~ill, 1954 ~,.....".!" ..., ...,... f'",~.:.!'C""'"!"-':I the Fund. These two amounts total Mr. Gbedemah: I 'beg to move that £2,311,000 leaving only £28,107 out of the an Ordinance entitled An Ordinance to' amount provided in this Bill to. repre- Amend the Customs Ordinance, 1947 be sent extra. expenditure less savings read a ~econd time. . and of cpurse all this extra expenditure has been approved at various times by ' Hon. Members will be aware that the illegal export of cocoa across our land the Finan.ce Committee. -frontiers has increased considerably 11.24 a.m. ' during the present year on account of the disparity between the world price of . Again, .the former Assembly last cocoa and the price paid to producers March made an ' appropriation of in the Gold Coast. The decision to £13,725,000 out of surplus assets. This restrict the price payable to producers represented a grant of £4,000,000 to the was made by the Government as an Development Fund, of £1,325,000 to the integral part of its fiscal policy and that Supplementary Sinking Fund, of policy was approved by this House when. . T' , • ~ ." . ' ", '. ~ .'. , I '~ ,. , t> ' . .r: < :* ~ .. ,• -t· - -~"' ~" .." ': -(' .. ,"" I c'";'::' , . '-~'iI: ' -<:i'.'·. ' , ,. J, ,".;: ~ ,; ", ~ ... "~. ~~-.., -{ t" « , mlls- • 'iT OCTOBi1R tiM •• • SccOltW:l RIf'cdftn", •• 00 • •• ••• ••• • •• • ..•.• •.•..•.. (Ma. GBEDEMAB) : Ip~c'fiel rivlrs slSall bo·lieerfleu).o:"'e all • •• it passed into law last August the·· nttd'tflpM(f 1:JtMcli c1f me ~tOfnb· Ord~ •••• • Ordinance increasing the export duty nance and this w!ll bring into play all on cocoa. It is clear that the Govorn- the penalties laId ~own under that ment cannot tolerate the organised Ordinance. There wIll. be power ~o efforts that are now being made to exoept from t,hat prohibItion in certalO smuggle cocoa and thereby to deprive cases and thIs power will be used to the countravl lo f much valuable revenue permit the movement of cocoa from I am sure- hon. Members will agre~ farms to buying ag·ents. that vigorous measures must be taken But this is not enough. It has eome to to see that the law is fully enforced. the Government's notice that in certain In view of the very great lengtb of tbe frontier areas roads are being built which can have no E>ther purpose than land frontiers of tbis country it would be out of the question to prevent smug- that of facilitating the smuggling of gling by a huge cbain of fixed customs cocoa. The Bill therefore proposes a posts and action against cocoa smug- new Section 197b which will give the glers has to be taken by mobile patrols Government power to prohibit the operating some little way behind tbe construotion of roads in frontier areas - frontier and stopping the smugglers and whicb provides severe penalties for while they are moving towards the any person building a road in contra- frontiers. Orders have been made under vention of tbat Order. The Carriage of Goods by Roads Ordi- . Tbe present Bill is essential if tbe nance restricting the movement of fiscal policy and prosperity of this ~ .... ). - ..... ,.-. -:.. cocoa in certain directions along certain country are to be maintained and I trust ~.~-":'..~.:..;:.,;.:::.r.-- ~'. roads and across certain ferries witb a tbat tbe House will give it a unanimous saving permission for tbe movement reading. of cocoa grown in any l ocali ty from I beg to move. farm to tbe buying point. The first Motion made, and Question proposed, orders made prohibited the movement tbat tbe Bill be read a second time. of cocoa in an easterly direction across the Volta ferries; It is obvious that Mr. John Baidoo (Atwima-Nwabia- there is no bonest reason for moving gya): Tbis is a very good Bill. It would cocoa from tbe Eastern Region eastward be more effective if tbe Minister would across the Volta. Subsequent orders add, "buying cocoa at a higher price prohibited tbe movement of cocoa nortb- in this country " . Actually, it is not ward along tbe road leading to tbe the farmers wbo are trying to smuggle, Volta at Yeji and on certain roads but certain brokers wbo are engaged by towards tbe Western Frontier. All certain firms to purcbase cocoa at a these orders are at the present moment bigber price tban the local price: for being enforced by tbe Customs Pre- instance, a broker can buy cocoa of ventive Service and tbe Police Force 60 lbs. for eigbty sbillings instead of working in close co-operation. the seventy-two sbillings. After buying Tbese Orders, bowever, are not the cocoa he conveys it across the entirely satisfactory. In tbe first place border. If anybody tells you that it is the penalty under Tbe Carriage of Goods the farmers who carry cocoa across the by Roads Ordinance is only £100 or six border it is not true, Sir. I should like months imprisonment and it may be the Minister to insert another clause to ' doubted wbetber this is adequate to the effect that anybody who buys cocoa stop cocoa smuggling wbicb is organised at a price bigber tban tbat fixed by on a large scale. In tbe second place Government .should be arrested and The Carriage of Goods by Roads Ordi- punisbed. nance was originally enacted to protect Mr. M. K. Apaloo (Anlo South): the railways against excessive and This Bill strikes at the very root of the unreasonable .competition. What we prinCiples of liberty of the subject, in want to do now is to enforce effectively that its proviSions are so wide that it r~~z:~;~~.,; the Customs Ordinance and tbe Govern- ;... -,'/," seeks to entrap the farmers. I have t he ment has therefore decided that furtber experience of certain farmers being Orders sbould be made under a new .: ~-,-;.' '" arrested in Togoland ' over fifty miles section of that Ordinance. from tbe frontier. In fact, they were Hon. Members will see that tbe Bill arrested in their own houses for storing which is now before tbem proposes to cocoa and it was alleged tbat the cocoa insert a new Section 197a into that was stored tbere to be carried across the Ordinance giving tbe Governor power border in order to sell for higher price. to declare that tbe conveyance of speci- There must, in my opinion, be some fied goods on specified roads or across form of limitation in order to protect .,- ;.;.. - .-:;-, '.- ~ < ~ 63 Bills- ••, ', L ... / ~ • r r ( 'II. OO'1'OBEJoR 1954 -( .. "::. $econd Reading _ 64 • f (E' • f1 ' f • II f".' '.,. ~ t' ,.r., ,_ t- ( .. . t: t [MR. APALoctl ~ ( ~ ~,~, ,,~ t. ,"" r 11li1l. S96f ··Se&ntl Readmg [MR. KROBO EDUSEI] Mr. A. J. Dowuona-Hammond time it brings in train the heavier (Awutu): I feel that this Bill should penalties of treble the . value of the ·be welcomed by this House, especially cocoa or one hundred pounds which- Clause 5 of the Objects and Reasons. ever is the greater and the forfeiture I do not see the reason why some hon. of the cocoa and the vehicle in which Members should be scared especially it is carried as provided for in the when it is considered necessary that .. ' " .J Customs Ordinance, 1947 ". roads and tracks in the areas adjacent to the frontiers should not be made. I want to add that when any stranger The clause referred to above makes it is found smuggling cocoa across the clear that for the sole purpose of smug- frontier he must be dealt with severely gling cocoa out of the Gold Coast roads and then deported. ' The Governor should not be made. Before the prohibi- stressed in his speech delivered at the tion starts investigations will be made last meeting that we must have respect and if there is a genuine demand for the for law and order, and any Government construction of a road by the people I whose people have no respect for law think the demand may be granted. and order is no Government. We came here as the accredited representatives Some of us who had been trained by of the people. We could have given £5 these foreign capitalists and had tasted for a load of cocoa to boost our political the cocoa business before will no doubt popularity but we acted differently I welcome this bill in this House. An know that our party has enemies but hon. Member has just mentioned that we do not know from what quarter and some people were arrested fifty miles in what manner they will encounter us. away from the border. I am sure hon. That was why the Prime Minister made Members will· be surprised to learn that such a bold attempt alld undertook to from Nkum, a town just twelve miles stabilise the cocoa price for four years. from Swedru, cocoa was smuggled across There are some strangers who are smug- the frontier-a distance of over two gling our cocoa across the frontier. hundred miles from the frontier. The It is for us as a nation strug'gling for dealers in the cocoa trade are very good _ ~'_:("'?"'-''1''~~~J{J.._-:~r.T self-determination to strongly reinforce diplomats in the business and so they ~::: the laws. In my opinion anybody who train their brokers and their buying is found smuggling cocoa across the agents very welL Smuggling of cocoa, French border should have his cocoa as the bill says, is mainly carried 'on confiscated and if he is a non-Gold Coast because the cocoa grower is not permit- man he should be deported . . ted to sell his cocoa to anybody except the Gold Coast Cocoa Marketing Board, --.--:-- 1\1r• . C. E. Nimo (Aklm Abuakwa and for that reason people refuse to sell North): A point I should like to make their cocoa to the Cocoa Marketing is on the construction of roads near the Board and rather try to smuggle it. bo_undaries of ~he Gold Coast. Another fact is that storage of cocoa Clause 2, 197B (1) says: is being carried on. In some areas .. The Governor may by Order pro- peoplf;l take advantage of the price that hibit, except with the written permis- we often hear of being offered in the sion of a Government Agent, the nearby territories. Employees of a par- -~, ~ - construction of any road and the ticular firm feel that they can do some- ···.::...".:;·:-··. .r .. • ........ • making of any motor track which thing better in enriching their own leads to any point within a speCified pockets by selling partly to the neigh- distance of any specified part of the bouring firms and partly to their own :;;:~:r..~~.. . ;x."i~ja~~ .. boundary of the Gold Coast." " employers. Hon. Members should not ~-.-z.:~,-::~':-:':'~'-=>::-' - be worried because before the Govern- ment takes a decision, views are invited 11.48 a.m. from experienced people and experts in My observation on this is that if a the trade and all these views are collated written permit is granted to say a before the Bill is enacted. So I feel that Government Agent for a new road to be' hon. members should support this Bill. constructed that Government Agent may not be able to guarantee that cocoa Mr. J. R. Asiedu (Akwapim North): will not be smuggled on that road and In ass()ciating myself with the Bill I I · suggest that no such permiSSion may beg to refer to Section 197(A) sub-section be granted to any Government Agent (4). In the first ·line there is a typogra- for the construction of a new road which phical error which I want to correct. may be used by smugglers to carry their In the first line the word .. be .. immedia- cocoa across the frontier. telyafter ' , may .. should be " by " . .. .. ... .. ·.0 0 -...- -- .- -·- - .- .•. . 0 · -0 ·• .-- - . 0 o•' -.. • 0 - ·•• •. . 0 -• •• • -- -- -- •• • •• •• -.-.. •- •-- · •• ·•.- - . \~. \... .... ', ~ t ' - 67 -, Bills'-r." ~ . ' :,. :'~ ~, . ~ ~ " ';l7 bbraBER - lbM'~ :- <: ~ t ~econd Reading 68 l:' ( ,t \. ... t , . ( (" r ( (.. t) (. [MR. ASIEDlJl .~ ' • . ~ ~ ~ ~ I' (' ~ (':, ( ~ ( l~ a~~~ (, ~ .~ Commenting on 197(B) I think the. would be very wrong and we must do amendment as it is put down is a good everything on our part to discourage it. one. An hon. Member said that it would actually isolate some of our brethren on . Mr. Krobo Edusel: There 1s 'a law the border. I should like to call hon. in the Gold Coast that when you are a Members' attention to one fact. We all stranger from Togoland and you go and know that a gun is a good instrument for steal you should be deported. These the protection of mankind, yet in the people are criminals. - interest of mankind guns are not ditl- Mr. Gbedemah: In winding up the tributed to ' everyboqy. We have to debate on the principles of the Bill I obtain a permit before keeping one, s}:lould like to make one or two pOints because we know that some people may clear with special reference to certain harm themselves and also their neigh- statements or allegations which have i.- bours if they possess guns. · been made by one or two hon. Members ,i. ~ Today, we are faced with difficulties in This Bill has been necessitated by the connection with the cocoa price, and we experience which the Departments of are all aware that smuggling is not Customs and Police have had since the being done by the farmer himself; it is price of cocoa began to rise in the world betng done by clever rascals. Therefore, market, and as all hon. Members know in the interest of the nation and in the the price of cocoa in the Gold Coast i~ interest of the farmer, this Bill has been fixed once a year by the Cocoa Market- brought up with a view to protecting ing Board with the consent of the the farmer. I believe we .are all aware Government. It was found that be- that about fifteen to twenty years ago cause of the difference in price in the it was unlawful for 'one to go to the neighbouring territories there was a Northern Territories with trade spirits. very great incentive for people to smug- Why was that done? It- was done to gle cocoa, thus evading customs duty protect our brethren there. But today which was payable on cocoa. And this , . I can open a spirit store in Tamale attempt at smuggling became quite ·an , without anyone holding me back because organised affair when in July last the' . it can now be done. I should like lion. fiscal policy was declared fixing the price: M~mbers to assist Government in pro- .of Gold Coast cocoa at the same price' tecting the interest of the nation. In as for the last year: '. ".- fact, I would have been the first man to The Government will not allow events ' kick against this Bill if I knew that all to go on which deprive it of its just was well on the bqrder. But·hon. Mem- revenue which it should raise in the bers are aware of the imlawful practices interest of 'the people, and _therefore going on there whilst we need money for laws must be enacted to stop this smug- ,;.' development. If we allow these rascals gling. I should like to remind hon. to collect all the mone.y away, where do Members that the incentive to smuggle -, we expect the Government to get money is no longer as high as it was in July 1 f - to provide for your ferries, our roads, . .because the world price of cocoa has our pipe-borne water supplies, our hos- begun to fall already and as a result pitals and other amenities. We will · the smugglers do not find it quite a never get these things without money, paying business to smuggle cocoa from and the result will be that after cutting the Gold Coast as they did three or our own tongues .to prepare our stew four month~ ago. Nevertheless, since there would be no tongues for us to use the world prlCe of cocoa can fluctuate so .,I .- in enjoying our attractive dish (laughter). violently the law must be enacted in ....,...-.,,'!' .• ,_. .. .....,..-. - .....-$ ..... order that it can be invoked if the posi- . . Mr. J. A. Braimah(Gonja-East): tion ,should recur. '· f I do not think there is anything wrong _w ith the Bill. But there is one impres- 12J?00n sion I want to correct which has been The hon. Member for Atwima/Nwa- made by_the hon. Member for Sekyere · biagya raised a point that certain people , l, . East (Mr. Krobo Edusei). He was trying go about buying cocoa at a higher price , to create the impression that in our than the fixed price which is ruling in l '~ laws we discriminate against strangers. the country. Unfortunately, there is The hon Member is a popular' figure in no law at the moment penalising any- this country and so his speeches are given body' from paying a higher price for a . headlines and people ' may go about commodity. The obvious reason for ~ thinking that in' t.he Gold Coast Legisla- anybody paying a higher price for cocoa tive Assembly laws are made to dis- ' is that he attempts to smuggle and ~ criminate against strangers. That therefore an effort should be made to rf J , , •• ••• • • •• • •••••• ••• •• 69 BilZs- Z7 OCTOB:~R: 1~ : .: : S~c~.d ~~di'17 :. 7ct ••• •• • • • •• [MR. GBEDEMAH] • s.•ls•oo tltat• • ••• • ••• • • 'Aiso~Uol! wiU Ol\ty be ~pli" ••••• prevent him from smuggling or to cable to areas where cocoa is grown and catch him in the attempt; but I do not will have no effect on that part of the think if people are foolish enough to country which he had in mind when pay a higher price for a commodity, criticising the Bill. Government should be bothered about I should like to say that t :he hon. such people at all. Member for Akim Abuakwa North The allegation made by the hon. Mem- (Mr. C. E. Nimo) who criticised the power .. r· · .. ' ber for Anlo South that this law is an which would be given to Government attempt to limit the liberty of the Agents to enable them to decide which subject is quite wrong. Government roads should be built, must consider has a law controlling dealings in cocoa , that it is not possible for the Ministry of and therefore Government must protect Communications or for the Customs its own interest and the interest of the Department to send officers round to people, and people should not be allowed every section from which applications to do just as they like, especially when are sent in for the building of roads, and their act is criminal. The hon. Member if any particular roads are necessay in knows very well that goods which are order to increase the network of roads brought across from the French terri- in the country and there are legitimate tory are described as smuggled goods reasons for building them, the Govern- and are forfeited. Therefore Govern- ment Agents will certify that those ment should make an effort to stop the roads are necessary and His Excellency . ~.~. smuggling which is gOing on and this the Governor will transfer the power to law cannot be interpreted to mean a them to allow those roads to be built. limitation of the liberty of the subject. This amendment is only to stop people The hon. Member has stated that people who have obvious reasons for building should only be caught when they are a road, at their own expense, from doing within five miles of the frontier. I so and the only reason anyone can have should like to tell the hon. Member that is that he wants to smuggle cocoa across if he should visit the Preventive Sta- on these roads. tions at Aferingba Nyovi and even Kpoglu he would see lorry-loads , of The hon. Member for Gonja East (Mr. cocoa brought from as far as Nkawkaw, J. A. Braimah) stated that the sug- nearly 120 miles away, in an attempt gestions which an hon. Member made to smuggle the cocoa and if efforts are that strangers should be deported should to be made within only five miles from not be given publicity. I should like to the frontier I do not see how such remind the hon. Member that he him- attempts could be successful. If he self, having once been a Minister, can reads the amendment he will find that remember that ' there is a law in force it is a crime to attempt to transport for deporting people who are criminals cocoa across the ferry, and the ferry is and that strangers in this country who '-- . at least 60 miles from the frontier. obey the laws of the country will not be molested in any way. But if strangers - This Bill cannot be interpreted to mean a limitation on the liberty of the come into our midst and do break our subject and the Government in speci- laws and cheat the Government of its fying wJlat roads should be described revenue, such strangers are undesirable as roads on which cocoa can not be and should be removed from Dur midst. carried has taken into accoun tthe I am sure the Government of any experience of the last four or five country. would pass such a law if it months. becomes necessary. With these expla-nations on the principles of the Bill I The hon. Member for Wala ' North should now like the question to be put . . (Mr. Jatoe Kaleo) criticised Section 197 (B) of the Bill which tries to limit or Question put, and agreed to, and Bill restrict the right or attempt of certain read·a second time. ' people to build roads at the frontier areas. I should like to inform the hon. Bill committed to a Committee of the , Member that this section is very neces- whole House. ' sary; firstly, because the building of House in Committee. roads is quite an expensive undertaking and anybody who at his own expense is l\'Ir. Gbedemah: I should like to make prepared to build a road must have very two small amendments to the Bill both good reasons for doing so. If a cattle of whic)J. are very minor and are of a dealer wants to convey his cattle he does , typographical nature. After Gold so without going to build a road and I Coast, in the first line of the Bill, I should like to inform the hon. Member should like a comma to be inserted and ·. .. " .,. , ~ .. .. . . ...... :" . • • • .• • ., • . . :1- · .".,. -~ ..~ . • .,~ " •• ~ '.~; . -:': . ·• • " .. -: .... '-. '" , -.;,,"01.'~,_'. '' .. " • ·.• "'_. , • ·.• · · ·• ·• ··• .• . ". ~ • • '.• •' ··• • • ··• ·• · • '.. " '-:':,'. 71 Bills-, n-~ '~~ ~ ; ... " : ;, ... ~ , 27' QO'tO~ER ~>19M . ~ .. : :. ~ Second Reading 72 t I ( ~ , e C [MR GBEiEr:-.AH1 ~ , ~ ,~, co .' ,'. Wl!.· lV.'LE(,lJ, ~ . -:-• ~. . t I,. {.. ~ I' t ( C. ( f- it should then read" BE IT ENACTED by I should like the following words to be the Legislature of the Gold Coast, as inserted after the word" track "-" in follows. " cocoa area". Question put, and agreed to: Mr. Gbedemah: That is why the word The Preamble as amended ordered to " specified" is used there. stand part of the Bill. .: Mr. K. O. Thompson (Elmina): The Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Minister of Finance has just explained Bill. that section 197 (b) (2) should be left at the discretion of the Court. But I Clause 2: wonder whether the Court is not Mr. Gbedemah: I should like the restricted in this case by the wording .. .. ,-':" word "be " in the first line of page 2 of the section: .. .. . .. ..!~ ". .... t:: to be read" by". " Any person who contravenes the ... - ~I"~ Question put, and agreed to. ' provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence, 12 noon and shall be liable on conviction to 1/ - 1\1r. P. K. K. Quaidoo (Amenfi- a fine not exceeding three hundred Aowin): Clause 197 (b) (2): pounds .... " " Any person who contravenes the I think here the Court is restricted and provisions of subsection (1) of this cannot impose a fine of more than £300. section shall be guilty of an offence, Mr. Gbedemah: The hon. Member and shall be liable on conviction to has not given me a specific suggestion a fine not exceeding three hundred which should replace the sectj.on which pounds or to imprisonment for a term he would like amended. But I should not exceeding three years, or both like to say that apart from this penalty, such fine and imprisonment ". . the contraband goods or the smuggled I think that is all right. But I wQnder goods, which in this case is cocoa, are whether this penalty will hit those who also forfeited. organise smuggling of cocoa on a large Mr. J. Kaleo: I am on my point. scale. I do not know whether the I should still like that the words "in Minister of Finance would accept an cocoa area" be inserted after " track" amendment to the effect. .. that if any in the section because I feel that if it is person is proved to be an accredited passed into law, and the Governor in agent of a buying concern the penalty his discretion thinks that a road should should be increased. be built say in the Northern Territories, Mr. Gbedemah: I think this should where there is no cocoa, the law will be left to- the discretion of the Court. still be binding on anybody who tries if the Court finds that any attempted to build roads for other purposes. " sm]lggling is an organised attempt .. .. : . .' behind which there is a large concern 1\11'. Gbedemah: I must my cate- capable of paying a heavier penalty, gorically that I refuse to accept such an I am sure the Court will use its discre- amendment. There are various means tion in imposing such a fine. by which roads can be buiJ;t in this country. The Ministry of Communica- Mr. Quaidoo: Since there is no tions is in charge of the roads; there are explicit ~tatemellt Gu that effect perhaps district development committees in .," - the smugglers may get away with it. charge of roads; and if anybody thinks Mr. Gbedemah: I think the Courts that a particular ' road' is important have already exercised their discretion he has some of these bodies to which he in the matter by imposing heavier fines can appeal, and if he can get permission than are allowed by the law which is to do so, I do not see any reason why the being amended. Government should refuse the body the permission to do so .. Mr. J. Kaleo: In subsection 197 (b): Clause 2 as amended ordered to stand " The Governor may by Order pro- part of the Bill. hibit, except with the written permis- sion of a Government Agent, the The Long Title ordered to stand part construction of any road and the of the Bill. IIlaking of any motor track which . House resumed. leads to any point within a specified . Bill reported with slight amendments distance of any specified part of the and notice given for its third reading boundary of the Gold Coast". at a later stage. ,. , ,( ( " ( (. ('( ' ... (0 , ( ,. , .. ' 'l 73 Bills-Second Reading . " 1 OCT01i~R: ~!f54 • • :and~OOl1f!itte~~ta~ :. ~4: :.. :'. • ••• • ? •• • • .:~ ::- :: The Guarantee Corporation (Amend- :'~R.~O ·Ax.rE'llo. : . ,:' ••• ..' : • ••• •• ment) Bill, 195"-Second Reading Licensed Diamond Dealers on the mar- l\finister of Trade and Labour: ket find it difficult to operate success- (lUI'. Ako Adjei): I beg to move that fully under the existing Ordinance a bill intituled An Ordinance to amend regarding the granting of licences to The Guarantee Corporation Ordinance the Winners. The existing position be read a second time. under the Ordinance is that when a This is a straight forward amendment. Licensed Diamond Winner has diamonds Hon. Members will remember that the to sell to a Licensed Diamond Dealer, ., :-.- Guarantee Corporation Ordinance was the Licensed Diamond Winner has to passed at the early part of this year, anq, report to a Government Agent of the it came into operation on the 10th of district in which he won the diamonds April. In that Ordinance, references that he has diamonds for sale on the are made to the" Permanent Secretary, market. Having reported he then depo- Ministry of Commerce and Industry". sits the diamonds with the Dealer. Under the new constitution and the The Government Agent, upon the report, subsequent reorganisation of the Minis- must satisfy himself as to the good tries the Ministry of Commerce and faith of the Diamond Winner who has Industry was abolished and incoporated reported the diamonds. After satis- into the new Ministry, the Ministry of fying himself, the Government Agent Trade and Labour. It , is therefore thereupon grants the licence to the - ' necessary to effect an amendment to -- ~-'-:-:-...... -"'-~-~. ~.-:, Diamond Winner to sell his diamonds the Ordinance to conform with the to the Dealer on the Government dia- - .':"~""''''''~::~' .• ~'-'!' .: .... re-organisation of the Ministries, and mond market. This transaction or pro- hon. Members would see that all that cedure entails a lot of travelling on the the amendment seeks to do is that in part of the Diamond Winner. For the Ordinance for the words "Perma- instance, if a Diamond Winner has. nent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce diamond for sale in Accra, assuming and Industry " there shall be substituted this Diamond Winner comes from Oda, he the words "Permanent Secretary ' of has to report himself to the Government the Ministry responsible for Trade". Agent at Oda that he has diamonds It is a very small amendment which is to sell at Accra. He comes to Accra purely consequential. and depOSits the diamonds with the '.f. '~ " I beg to move. Dealer at the Accra market. Then l\1inisterial Secretary to the Minis- he goes back.to Oda to get the required '-, try of Trade and Labour (MI'. E. K. licence from the Government Agent . ~ : .... ~ --~~ ~; Bensah): I beg to second. before the diamonds are finally disposed Question put, agreed to and Bill read of. It is very cumbersome and very a second time. expensive to the Diamond Winners Bill committed to a Committee of the and it makes transactions on the mar- whole House. ket rather slow. Upon requests of the diamond winners as well as the dealers House in Committee. . on the market, this amendment is being Clauses 1 and 2 and the' Long Title effected in order that an officer from my ordered to stand part of the Bill. Ministry who is in charge of this market House resumed. in Accra will be vested with the same Bill reported without amendment and powers as Government Agents have Notice given for its Third Reading at a under the existing Ordinance. And in later stage. order to expedite matters on the market, . -~ :. ..: ..~ -•_ _.. .~ :.~_.,. __ ,: ...... Co" - The Diamond Mining Industry Pro- I have caused administrative arrange- tection (Amendment) Bill, 195" ments to be made whereby the present officer from my Ministry on the market Mr. Ako Adjei: I beg to move that has, been vested with those powers of the Bill intituled An Ordinance to Gove,nment Agents in all districts amend the Diamond Mining Industry of all parts of the Gold Coast but specifi- Ordinance be read a second time. " cally for the purpose of the Diamond This amendment is also a straight- Industry, and this is workmg quite forward amendment. Hon. Members satisfactorily now. But, of course, it is will rememoer that on the 12th of July purely a temporary arrangement and ,this year the Government opened in in order to get something more perma- Accra a Diamond Market which is still nent, this amendment is being made to functiOning. However, in the operation make those things easier for the win- of transactions of the market, certain ners as well as the diamond dealers. inconveniences have arisen. The These are the main principles of th~ Licensed Diamond Winners and the Bill and I beg to move. ~.# ~~ .. .. .. .. . l#~ :J _4 ~ .'. . •. . .. .. ... . ~ .. .", 'l": { ll .,(1 •• t' • •• • 4 • to ' gO' aboU:t ~ b~Yi'~ii d:i~;n:o~d witii : ~ 1\iNlieal Researc,h (Gold Coast · , view to making illicit money. There~ Status) Jhl~, 1954 ,. fore the purpose of this amendment is Minister of Health , (1\1r. Imoru to ensure that any man who produces Egala): I beg to move that the Bill diamond for sale at the market has the intituled An Ordinance to provide for .. ". ',' licence at all, and that is what the officer the status and functions , including the has to find out from the records, I;: 'J" powers and duti es , within the Gold Coast , .', -, -. .' " '" of the West African Council for Medical r ' ,QuestlOn put, an~ agreed to, and the Research which was established in BIll read a second tIme. ' ," Nigeria ,by the West African Council r • , Bill committed to a Committee of the for Medical Research Ordinance, 1954 ~;. .. ~ ·.'.::... ... ,;~;·',.; .. N:._. __.o # whole House. " (' 'I.. , , ,'\' ,,;,• . :' be read a second' time .. ,',,:" 'J House in Committee. . ~. After prior consultation with , the , ' ;,~ , Governments of the other British West Clause 1: '" " I African Territories to arrange for the lUr. Ako Adjei:' I should' like to conduct and furtherance of Medical ,- make a small amendment. In line one Research in these Territories, the West inser t a comma after the word" Coast", African Council for Medical Research Question put, and agreed to. was established in Nigeria by the . ' , ' Nigerian Ordinance No. 18 of 1954. '~.' 0" .;:. Clause 1 as amended ordered to stand part of t he Bill. ' The o1;lj.ect of this Bill is to give the '.- . ' .J.\"'. • ';.,J,;"'• . i'';• . -':'''.# ~\ w'4 :j,: ) ; , .* " .~ . .. .. . ... . ;.# 'J, ,j ,:> 0 . '... .. ." ", .. :. .'··· .... .. '~, .; ., . ,; ~., o .} oJ .) , 4 "'~' " .. ....".. .... ".' .. " - _ ... '1 ~.,. 't'- _ 79 Bi~~~iit}; ~~'ag~ ~ '>~• • 3~ ?: 6btr~B~R 1~ ' :' ,.: ~ , F~Ond RecuiingOO ~ ' Bill committed t:>:c..Gomrritiee Dr t~r ~ - ;Bil,L;.re,p.o~te..cl" witt-out amendment, whole House." ') \ .• ~~ .. ,., " '"',,.:i and Notice give-Ii fof'its Third Reading House in Co~nnttee.-' .,"4' • at a later stage: ' . : 'ciause t ordered to stand part of the 'Bill ,/., . " . , '. ,,, The Revised Edition of the Ordi- Cl~U:;-e ' 2 ' ordered to stand part or'the nances (1952-1954 Supplement) Bill ~il!:~: ~~.i·~'':-~;l.'' :-''~ .... . .:~ . Mr. Speaker: Mr. Casely-Hayford, J,. -:; . ..1' ~ .-_.~ ,_!' .-, ;. ~ -. ~ r. : . do you want to go on now with your i 'j " ..... .:. • J . " • .12.48 p.:rp.. " -', . ' I:', Bill? There is time now, or do you want to put it off till tomorro,W ?: . " Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill. . , Minister' of the Interior, (Mr; Cas ely- The Schedule and the Preamble HayfoJ'd): Mr. Speaker, in order to ordered to stand part of the Bill. ' save time, I beg to move that the Bill The Long Title ordered to stand part ' intituled The Revised Edition of the of the Bill. Ordinances (1952-1954 Supplement) Bill '- " House resumed. ' ' be read a second time. . Bill reported without amendment, Hon. ' Members will be aware that and Notice given for Third Reading at a among the papers laid on the Table this later stage. - morning is the revised edition of the ," Ordinances. This edition includes all The Revised Edition ,of the Laws Ordinances enacted up to 31st December, (Amendment) BPI, 1954 1951 but not beyond that date. It is now necessary to effect such adaptation Ministerial Secretary to the Minis- in the Ordinances enacted after that try of the Interior (Mr. J. E. Hagan): d date as may be necessary to bring them In the absence of my Minister, I beg ',to into accord with the Ordinances printed move that a Bill intituled An Ordinance in the revised edition. to amend the, Revised' Edition of the Laws Ordinance, 1951 be read a second The Bill now before the House time. accordingly provides for the prepara- I:i" tion by the Attorney-General of a supple- The revised edition of the laws which ment to the revised edition which will f has been laid on the Table at this '" , . embody all the Ordinances enacted meeting contains only the Ordinances • r'.£ ~\";l.t~'~;:i-liJ.! between the 31st of December, 1951 and ' enacted up to 31st December, 1951. A the 31st December, 1954. It grants the supplement is to be prepared 'which will Attorney-General similar powers in . ' embody Ordinances enacted after that regard to the preparation of a supple- date and up to 31st December, 1954. It ment as were given to the Commissioner is however, necessary to provide a who prepared the revised edition. revised edition of the subsidiary legisla- tion with all Regulations and Orders I beg to move. etc. made under the Ordinance, but it is considered desirable that . any such' Mr. J. E. Hagan: I beg to second the revision should include all subsidiary motion. legislation up to the 31st December, Motion made, and question proposed, 1954. The revised edition of the Laws • that the Bill be read a second time. ' Ordinance, 1951 does not permit of different terminal dates of Ordinances Mr. Mumuni Bawumia: I should like and subsidiary legislation and the that the debate on the Bill be deferred object of this -Bill is to make the till tomorrow, because it seems that this " necessary provision. will give the Attorney-General wide I beg to move. powers to amend the Ordinances with-out bringing them for approval by the Ministerial Secretary to the L~gislative Assembly. l\finistry of Local Government (lUr. F. Y. Asare): I beg to second. Mr. Casely-Hayford: By way of Question put, and agreed to, and the explanation, there is nothing in Govern- Bill read a second time. ment's sleeves or my sleeves either. Bill committed to a , yommittee of This is merely a revision of the Ordi- the whole House.- ,nances from the date when the first lot was passed by this House right up to a House in committee. certain date; that is all, and nothing Clauses 1 and 2 and the Long" Title new will be brought here. It is merely a ordered to stand part of the Bill. compilation of such Ordinances as House resumed. exist today. i I I L< I t" I., ,-0 • • .. .~ OCTOBlllR 1954 ' Second Reading 82 '\ • • • .. 11 • • •• • J • , •• : :r~f\ L 7. I' I I. I ~ ~ I House resumed. Bill committed to a Committee of the Bill reported without amendment and whole House. Notice given for ita Third Reading at a later stage. House in committee. The House adjourned at one o'clock Clauses 1 to 9 ordered to stand part of in the afternoon till Thursday, 28th the Bill. October. at 9 o'clock in the forenoon. " , t- :;~~:':!'-~~·;: :,,~>:~"':_:4~:,. ,~ ~~.:; ...~ '. ..: .::t".:.. 1_~ ;;..;:~. .. ;,;...,:.:;;~ '. !.' •. ,,-, .. ,. . .. ... .-'. "', . ~ , .· .~.. • . ..• . •••. •• ... .... ..~. .. ~. · .. .•'" " .; . .. ' 0 . ,• . .... " .>. · .. . ',. •.. .' . ~ :~:. ~~, • c..O. . . .... . ...-' . • ,~ 4 • . · ·.·.. .."' ~ 'Uu • •• •• . • •• •• •• • w ' lnHT55~:C~ l"FOREIGN , ./ :~.~k.26~4/~ -":> XR 745k.52l FROM TO DEPT. UNA REC'D F OTHER lJUNE l~ 0 IN MSA TR LONDON LONDON( !,1SA) OTTAHA PRETOR SUBJECT: Discussion of Volta River Project with Head of Volta River Preparatory Commission Supplementing my despatch referred to above there are encJ,.g-s~d I copies of two press releases regarding Commander R. G. A. JAcKSON and the Preparatory Commission which is to complete the investigations into the Volta River Project. The first of these releases, dated ~ : : ~ Nay 5, 1953, gives biographic data about Commander Jackson. The ~ ~ : second, dated May 26, gives some background about the Corrnnission, ~ ;;: stating inter alia that "the Commission will be part of the admipis- ;'" tration of the Gold Coast Government." During the discussion ".lith Commander Jackson reported in my ~ despatch No. 157 he expressed an interest in the statute of the Port of New York Authority, which, he considered, might serve in some -en- respects as a model for that of the prospective Volta River Author- ~ ity. He asked if it might be possible for the Department to provider0 him with a copy. ~ ~ ACTION REQUESTED: If feasible it is requested that the Depar~-~ ment obtain and forward a copy of the statute just mentioned for , ......... presentation to Commander Jackson. (' ~ f~; I ~ C~l7~aLrn~ ~~ ~ E. Cole, ()..J ,dt; 1/. ...1 /s~. American Consul ~If ' ( /lV"'~~ ~~l4~1"3)~-t:4:IG~f/'1 1l Enclorres:L-1 / ~~ (>rlt"1'/'U.w~~·-~ ~ r!Copies of two press releases.~~~~ """~ I ~~~~~1~ I'~~IA-_" Copy to: agos ~,~~'t~ ,-t~~~(.., L J / .~ - 6" - . u.--+- , Yvvv~,~~,-)~~ Department please send copie~ to: ~ ~11g 1-r~ ~c: {,~ ,~~ Embassy London? MSA London; /1~, rt;' ~""JI:/~.~ ~N Ottawa; Pretor~a. ' . , j K:""1 ~ (0 & 0 (.)1 ~ f ~ $ ~ • s. ••• • •• •• •• /tu,J ACTI~ OOpy ,L DEPAR'fMEN1I-VP S'l'A'lE The action otnce must return this permanent record copy to DC/R files with an endorsement of action taken. f:nr l No, ., . ..., .. . ·.. ·· . ... . ... . .... ... ... ., . . ... . -:-1 PRESS RELEASE NO.611/53. FROM TIm INFURIvJATION SGHVIC-r-rsE'}7ART1~lEJ~T t ACCRA . SPECIAL COlvUviI SSIONER ARRIVES FOR VOLTA PIWJIo;G'l' IHVEST1GATwNs. Co~nander R. G. A. Jackson C.M.G., O.B.E., arrived by air in Accra on the 5th May, to assume his duties in the Gold Coast. As has already been announced, Commander Jackson has been ap.ointed Special Conuuissioner of the Preparatory Commission which is to com- plete the investigations into the Volta River Project. Commander Jackson who was a regular officer of the Royal Aus - tralian Navy has, during an outstanding career, held a number of important posts particularly in the fields of economic development and supply. Among the more recently held of these, he has been deputy Director General of U.N.R.R.A. in charge of the latter's operations in Europe from 1945-47, and Secretary to the 1·;inistry of National Development in Australia in which latter capacity he Vias closely associated with a number of hydro-electric development . schemes in that country. - More recently, Commander Jackson has been advising the Govern- ment of India on the implementation of the large scale development projects which are being undertaken under the Colombo Plan. . Commander Jackson is accompanied by JU.5Jli.fe ~ "'/h o is the well- known economist and journalig, ~a~bara Ward. After taking an Honours Degree in Philosophy, Po ~ " ~cs ana: Economics at Oxford ( Uni versity in 1935, Barbara Ward became assistant editor of liThe Economist" four years later. She was a Governor of the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1946 to 1950 and is the author of several books on international affairs. 5TH MAY 1953 BaL. L . , ~I·' {J'Nc~ASt.;.1..F-.~f"- iD" .-.- ._.:_ ..:. .1 ::~ ~ "' &--~ • •• . . :. · "'~ .. ., ....... , t .. , •••• ~~ .. ~, , ~ .. ... • ........ t •••• Desp. ~o. ___ ·- .U NCL.A SSI.F IED. Encl. No. 2 FrOID'---_______ •• .... ~ · · (Cla'JificaO.i~ ,n) .•• • .... . · ..... O,sp. No. 15$ •~ •• · ~ •• ·• • ·• .• ..•• • •• • •• • · Accra, Gold Coast .. •. .. • •• •• •• • • •• • .. • •• · •• •. . . '•r• oi• •n PRESS RELEASE NO.727/53 ·1 THE VOLTA RIVER PROJECT - PREPARATORY COMMISSION There has been some speculation in the Press as to what stage has been reached in the setting up of the Preparatory Commission of the Volta River Project. In particular, fears have been expressed that the Commission has already begun its work and that no action has been taken by Government to implement the undertaking given that the membership of the Commission would be enlarged. In order that the public shou~d be aware of the present posi- tion and of the fact that these fears need not be entertained, the Prime IvIinister has authorised the issue of the following statement:- "Although the actual operations of the Commission in the Gold Coast are only now beginning, negotiations have in fact been under way for some time regarding the request contained in the resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly in February, that two additional members nominated by the Assenfuly shou~d be appointed to the Commis- sion. "These negotiations have been directed toward securing the ser- ' vices of two men but selection cannot reach finality until the Assembly has been consulted. It is hoped that it will be possible to report the results of these negotiations to the Assembly when it next meets. "The statement whi ch has 'appeared in the "Daily Graphic" of Monday, May 25th, that two men have already been selected is not correct. "Since the Special Commissioner has been in the Gold Coast, discussions have been held on the question of the status of the Preparatory Commission, and it has been agreed that the Commission will be part of ·the administration of the Gold Coast Government. The Special Commissioner, working in association with the Ministers of Comnerce and Industry and of Finance, will keep the Prime Minis- ter informed of the progress of the preparatory work lt • (ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPl~NT) I 26TH MAY, 1953. ljKA. .. .. ...... · .. . .. . . . . · .•.•• .•.• • •• • • •••• . ..... • '_ l FROM American Consulate, Accra- : , ,, ~~~~== ____ L-~~~~--------~~~ : I ~ _ ' I ) =, '. ' l ' TO THE DEPARTl\IENT OF STATE, WASIU REF 2 For Dept. ~ REP EUR OL Use Only O;-----1 F OTHER o mi JUN 17 AG COM IN MSA LONDON , OTrAWA PRETORIA SUBJECT : Discussion with Head of ~ The folLOWing smmnarizes information obtained from Commander R. G. A. JAckSON, Special Commissioner of the Volta River Preparatory Commission during a conversation I had with him on May 28. I i Commander Jackson, who arrived in Accra on May 5, said that he is still busy getting organized and has not really settled down to business yet. He expects that the Commission will spend most of the first year of its existence in a "fact-finding" capacity. He explained that the Commission will have to do a substantial amount of research into the Gold Coast economy before endeavoring to prepare estimates > of the cost of the various aspects of the project and ~o offer a , definite opinion as to whether it is in fact feasible. In Commander Jackson's view accurate estimates are essential, since, if mistakeS. CD were made then the whole economic justification of the scheme would ~ be destroyed. He had in mind a number of other large projects ini- tiated since the end of liforld War II where the ultimate cost greatly ~ exceeded the original estimates. His task is therefore essentially • to answer the question: "Is the project feasible." It will, he i\) believes, be 18 to 24 months before the answer to that question can en be ascertained. Commander Jackson said there was another reason for beginning ~ his work with a considerable period of fact-finding before proceeding 01 to recommend details of a Master Agreement between the parties to the I project in compliance with the British White Paper on the Volta pro- -. ject. He did not want the subject to become a "political football". 0 He therefore thinks it wise to defer submitting recommendations about~ the project until after the question of further constitutional changetN in the Gold Coast has been thrashed out. In other words, he would rather have the '.project agreed to by the Africans after they are fur- ther advanced on the road to auton~rny, since he feels there will in ~ those circumstances be less likelihood of opposition to the Agreement = as an instrument of !'economic imperialism. It Moreover, initiation of - _ the Volta Project must await development of port facilitie~~t Terna. ~ ~ ~ ~.% With regard to the fact-finding phase of his work, COl1llWan~r ~.. . ~ I?j ~. to t:t ~. William E. Cole/ram :'. :· f ."Cf)l.WmEN4J!IA'L : : I : : .. :', en r- REPORTER' : : :. :.: ::. • • • :: • ::. :: J W ACTmN' OOPY ~ DEPJtltTMENT 'OF 'STATE - The action oIDce must return th1s permanent record copy to DC/R tiles w1th an endorsement ot action taken. · Desp. No. CONFIDENTIAL Encl. No. ___ F[?m Accita, Gold Coa 51:. ... • • (Cla~ificatJ!jn) .. ........ Oesp. No. ___ # : : :. :.: ::.. •• :: • :: • ~rc:m _________ I Jackson expressed ~;:~t';~t;;~;~: i~';h: ~~iv~;;'i~vestment surve~ which he understands is to be undertaken here by MSAo In his J I opinion information which \'1ould be developed by such a survey would be useful in connection with his planning for the Volta Project. The membership of the Preparatory Commission is not yet com- plete, since the resolution of the Gold Coast Assembly advocating the addition of two members to be nominated by the Assembly remains to be dealt With. Two eminent persons in the engineering field have been mentioned. One of these is Arthur MORGAN; fonnerly chairman of the Tennessee Valley Administration. The other is a Mr. SAVAGE who, I believe, is a Canadian. Jackson said the Prime Minister, NKRUMAH, had recently written to Morgan on this subject without informing the British or the aluminum companies of what he was doing. They took a rather poor view of Nkrumah's unilateral ap- proach, and Jackson feels part of his job will be to urge the need for coordination among those concerned. In any event, the desire of the Assembly to nominate two members may well be countered by requests to add other members from the aluminum companies and the British Government. Jackson feels that a Commission consisting of seven or more persons would be too large. Details regarding the financing of the project are not yet available. In Jackson's opinion capital for overseas investment would not be too readily forthcoming from the United Kingdom Govern- ment. The latter would be quite happy to have the Gold Coast in- crease its prospective share of the total investment required, in accordance with the expressed desires of certain African politicians. Jackson has discussed the question of financing with the World Bank, which evidently may make some contribution. He also opined that it would be a good thing if "private venture capital" from the United States and Canada should interest itself in the project. He thought it a mistake for government to have to bear the entire financial burden of such large scale ventures. However, when he discussed the matter in the City (London) the reaction, of financiers there was highly discouraging. There main concern was evidently with possible future political instability in the Gold Coast. Commano,er Jackson expressed the hope that the progress of the Volta project would not be marred by the vagaries of Gold Coast politics. He has discussed with NKRUMAH the possibility of forming a small committee to consider various aspects of the project on a "bi-partisan" basis. The group, which would meet occasionally with Nkrumah, would include certain Assembly "back-benchers" and members of the "opposition." Jackson doubted, however, that the Convention Peoples Party would view such an idea with favor. He said he had stated his pOSition in such matters to all concerned: he didn't pretend to understand local politics but considered it his job to act on behalf of the best interests of the Gold Coast in the course ~hiS work here. Since the project is obviously of great importancr ,.. . . .• ... . •• .V. / ! ~ :-'. : 'CONFIWr'--.~ .--':•;. - .---.i -- ---'-7.-.--i '-. ..i,r=.:,.t:A -:-i=':.-,. r- -:.__ _.__ .• ..:., :. •. ... . .. ~.. o agp,,-_'_ __o f Desp. No. )57 .l_-E~~DEl!!'I~ ...l End. No.,_ __ . F~m Ac?ra, Gold Coast:·. . (CI~II·rc"f!on). : :.. !>~..,. No, _ _ _ :. :.: • ::. ... .. . ••• • v .. . ... .. .. . .. ..... : : •• ~rpmL-______ ___ ~the colony, he wishes to proceed carefully and take all steps~ necessary to assure its success. I tnay add that Mr. R. H. SALOWAY, Minister of Defense and External Affairs, told me recently that Nkrumah had not followed through on his expressed intention to ask that the British Govern- ment approach the United States about a loan or grant for use in the Volta project (my despatch No. 112, March 25, 1953). Mr. Saloy-laY said that he thought that Nkrumah' s request would be well received, if and when put forward. He added, however, that Nkrumah frequently expressed such thoughts in an impulsive way, only to forget the matter amidst his other concerns. ~~~~ William E. Cole, American Consul Copy to: Lagos Department please send copies to: Embassy London; MSA London; Ottawa; Pretoria. J I ~ . . ,~. ~~ .. . . $ ~. .. .. . . ... .. ~ ~ .~ . i:. • • ! ,CO!fFW:iNTiAL: : ; ;1:. ~ ~:. ·· .. ~A.. POUCH CONFIDENTIAL -·--/~-~P=RI=OR~IT~Y------ ~ FOREIGN •• ••• • ••••••• $ •• FROM American Consulate,.~ccr? DESP. NO. I TO TATE. WASHINGTON. / -J1._ t,. ~ I --II REF ~J..-' 1v. L '--' S 1 I For Dept. N OLI E TCA rES 5Y Use Only REC="'D----1FO= T=H=ER=-------- ------;----------'""l el JUL 14 0 SUBJECT: Request for Certain Information from Preparatory Commission. >)-'. :)ro1 1-- IG )vi I-'~ ~ 'J ' . (!) r There is quoted below an excerpt from a letter dated June 4, W ~ 1953, addressed to me by Co~~ander R. G. A. JACKSON, head of the Volta River Project Preparatory Commission, with regard to the possible employment of two members of the staff of the University oiQ) Atlanta by the Commission: ~ "First of all, The Prime Minister has been in touch with ~ two members of the Faculty of Atlanta University (the first is. Mr. Samuel Z. Westerfield who is Director of the School of Business Administration, and the second is lVlr. Hylan Lewis who ~ is acting Chairman of the Department of Sociology) with a view~ to ascertaining whether their qualifications are such that the~ could usefully help me in my work as "Special Com1nissioner. " From the information provided by these gentlemen it appears ~.m that they are both well qualified in their respective fields-~ I . Westerfield graduated in Economics (Major) and Banking and Labour (Minor), whilst Lewis's subjects were Sociology· (lvIajor) r6 and Labour and Personnel (Minor). - en "As things stand at the moment, I believe that I should, . ()J (initially at least) be able to use the services of only one of these men. The field which I wish to cover primarily is ·that of the labour requirements of the project in the fullest sense, and the social and economic problems which may arise as a result of this scheme. "I wonder if it would be possible for the Department to provide you, confidentially, with its views about these two men and which of them the Department feels would be better suited for the work which ' I have mentioned?" -~ ~..# . ::4 '>~: ~--...- ­..; .. With respect to the last quot-ed paragraph, I informed Commander ': Jackson that it was unlikely that the Department would express any ~ .~ opinion as to which of the two m~n would be better qualified for 0 ,': the work in question. However, - he thought it possible t~~t the ; Department might have some record regarding Messers Westerf~~ld an~' "'# r ;:.~.i..'" t?j c5 t:::. en The action oruce must return tbJs permanent record copy to DC/R llIea with an endorsement or action taken. 0-.. ... "'-- End . No.--,_ _ Fnm!--.aA..I.C. ..c... ..r... ...caa..-_____ •• .... ~esp. No. ___ .., : ) ~. • : ". • ..:. 1': )~. }'r~m ______ ____ .$111 ~ O~ !:WiS which could ~ro~~rl~ be ,disclo:Ded and °w:e:c~ might be of -I assistance to hill in considering the advisability of employing either of them. ACTION REQUESTED: This office would be appreciative of the Department's comments with respect to the foregoing matter. Avail- able information respecting the persons named which might properly be disclosed to Commander Jackson is likewise requested herewith. a~j'€~ wi iam E. Cole, American Consul • · . .. . • ~ • •, 0 CcJ.N f1$I:Tl) L': • .,> ·• ... <\~ • ~ > J . • ••• • 0 • • • • .. , ·• . . . > ~ ..... . ~ -:» • • • IICOMING TELEGRAM (y 8 A:lon / EA FROM:Accra 10 NA TO: Secretary of State G' MSA --:J .- NO: 3, July 6 ~? -~ _.A, ~"1''. CA ~ \,,;:) GL o _ LI Prime Minister r s statement e ore Assembly July 3 expressing ~ ~ g E1 IA government views Volta project advised against proposed enlarg~-~ ~ ~ ment (My Despatch 157, June 10) preparatory commission and out~ ~ ~ lined following as in tended program: ~ gD Establish national committee including members "opposition" in :J C"" Assembly to work with head preparatory commission. Committee would make recommendations to government "in order safeguard interests of Gold Co.:wt; obtain services experts international CD repute including Arthur Morgan, former chairman TVA; make all -, ro data regarding project available Assembly; reaffirm that govern~ ~ ment will debate in Assembly terms any contemplated agreement , , ~ with Britain or aluminum interests; obt-9,in technical .and other='" ~ assistance "where available" from International Bank and Mutual ' ~ Security Administration. Above statement received warm approvarv ~ of Assembly including opposition. - 't.n- ~ Pouched London and Paris for MSA/SRE. ~ COLE ~ I m 01 eN r :E 0 (- c: I ":;l 1-4 ~ t-t ~--l t,:tj t::::l (0 tTl 'J'" . , W ( J' ..I _ REPRODUCTION FROM THIS . , ! " tINCLASS.!F'EIl ' - ;. , .• COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PEIIANENT IECOIO COPY • This copy must be returned to DC /R central files with notation of action tall'JlPilBITED .;-, AIR ·POUCH UNCLASSll'IED 1 PRIORITY •• ••• • (St;pKity 'l<1SsiiliJPtjo~) ~ FOREIGN S~~":~?~.:~~.S~1?t~r;~. ·• . •• ••• • ROM American Consulate, Accra 10 DESP. NO. \' o TIlE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHIN?Z;'T-.O - ---------·--..rU.l .y N~3 - ..:.L -/. " ~ / -; ~ ,:, ":;' '~I DA EF Accra' s T~legr~ N~ or. ..3. ·,. .. J~lY: 6, 195-1"" LL.-·~ • ( : '\L •• ~ .' • 71 ACTlO.U DEPT. I~.. \. ... ~ \ . "" ". I -' For Dept. _ -' N REP EUR* Use Only REC'D FaTHER m1r . JUL 19 0 COr.l* IN USA* UBJECuJ Prime Minister's Statement Supplementing my telegram No. 3 of July 6 regarding the Prime Minister's statement on the Volta River Project, there are trans- mitted herewith five copies of the official report of the Legisla- tive Assembly Debates for that date. The text of the statement which embodies the views of the Gold Coast Government on the subject appears at column 75, et seg. c::lu~ 4~&kL William E. Cole, American Consul {~,' • I\) en ~~ Enclosure: Five copip.s of Legislative Assembly Debates, July 3, 1953. ,.Je Copy with enclosure to London and Paris for MSA/SRE. ) ~'" 1.-,. rl .J.() .WE,"'""""C'".".o.. . l. ...e..+. -/..Lr-"a~m~==-__- ----:.;:-=c.7""" ... I .IINCl,ASSU'IKD •• I. ..... - r REPORTER ..,.• • • •• ". •• AC'ilbj:cb.pr. - :IYEPAIriMEllrX oi:~ri.~TE The action omce must return th1s permanent record copy to DCIR IDes with an endorsement ot action taken. .. ... ,., <> .. SESSION 1953 · .~ . DAILY ISSUE No. 38 · GOLD COAST __ .:';"'·,~ __ ."''''.w "'::' _ -'-_ ' - "- r~ LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY DEBATES . . ,. ...:, , .... ~: ..-..,. ....... .. \Ii ....... _~,_. OFF I C I A L REPORT CONTENTS FRIDAY. 3rd JULY, 1953 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER PRIVATE MEMBERS' MOTIONS BILLS-SECOND READING Pronted and pu~lished by the Government Printing Departm~nt. To be purchased from the Government Printing Department (Publications Branch). Accra. Gold Coast THREEPENCE .... · ·. · .. . . . ... ..• .. . . • ·.•. · ... . ·.. · ·• . . ·• . ·• .• · • • .. ·• •• • • ··• • .•. ·· • •• • f1l Oral Answers to .;, J11!n 1953" • •• ·Q~iqns;·· 6P THE GOLD COAST lEG ISLA1 ;,£ : Dr;An~ K~\: Ww is 1e th4t ltt t~ : ASSEMBLY DEBATES •• a~$Wel"-it·iS' st.!.ted:oMM.nfer1. !\"(1n~ Medicine. None; Dental Surgery. None. THE LEGISLATIVE ASSE!\ffiL Y \Vhy is it that in these cases we have FRIDAY 3&D JULY. 1953 not got scholarships for training at all ? The House resumed at 9 a.m. ~Ir. Erzuah: Some of these courses (Mr. Speaker in the Chair). are obtainable in the Gold Coast and PRAYERS that is the reason why scholarships are not offered for training abroad. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Dr. Ansah Koi: May I know how many The minutes 'of the meeting held on have been sent on scholarship for 2nd July. 1953 were confirmed. medicine? ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ~Ir. Erzuah: The scholars were not available. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE Overseas scholarships for Tailors and Overseas Scholarships for Women Seamstresses 25. Dr. Ansah Kot asked the Minister 28. Dr. Ansah Koi asked the Minister of Education and Social Welfare- of Education and Social Welfare how (a) How many overseas scholarships many overseas scholarships were given were given to women within 1951-52 for for (a) Tailoring (b) Seamstressing Domestic Science. Midwifery. Educa- (dressmaking) during the year 1951-52 ? " ..... tion, Medicine, Dental Surgery. Nursing. Mr. Erzuah: (a) 6 Social Welfare? (b) 1. (b) How many of these women students Dr. Ansah Koi:~May I know:from~the have aince returned? Minister whether these students learning (c) How many of them are in the tailoring only learn how to sew European Government Service? suits? Is there any chance of modifying JUlnhterlal Secretary to the Minis- the course so that they might learn how try of Edu('aUon and Social ""'elfare to sew African suits? CUr• .J . B. Erzuab): ~Ir. Erzuah: If they learn how to sew .".. (a) Domestic Science 1 European suits they will sew African Midwifery None suits very nicely. Education 5 Medicine None Dr. Ansah Kol: May I know in what Dental Surgery None way our African costumes are benefiting Nursing .. 6 from these scholarships ? Social Welfare .. 1 JUr. Erzuah: I do not know. (b) Four. 1\11'. Kwesi Lamptey: I presume that (c) Three of those who have returned these students learn to sew the costumes are in Government Service and one in from abroad? the service of an Educational Unit . . 1\11'. Erzuah: Yes, Sir. Or. Ansab Kot: May I know from the Minister whether those Laking the Educational Supply Association Domestic Science Course are heing 53. 1\11'. W. E. A. Ofori AHa asked the Laught some technique of improving M1nister of Education and Social African meals ? Welfare- I\lr. Erznah: I do not know the curri- (a) How far have the Government culum of the Domestic Science Course gone "ith the plan to estabhsh he is referring to. an Educational Supply Associa- Dr. Ansah Ko1: We are African, and tion? you are sending people to. learn how to (b) What are the present obstacles? cook European food. Are the ' ~earning . lr. Erzuah: The services of an how to cook African food as well? That expert in the book trade were obtained is what I want to know. .. at the beginning of this year and he 1\11'. Erzuah: \\l1en people are !'eut. began his investigations in February. abroad to study I think the aim is to It 1s expected that he will take another giv them a bro d 'Mew so that they can month or so to complete them. adApL t.heml;c!\'es to any changing • lr. Oforl AHa: How soon are we eir umst-ances. likely to have these lnvestigations? ..... . . .. . ... .... .. ..• . .... .. . .. .. .• ··· .... ·· . . . · . . . .. • . ·.• .•. ·· ·· • ·. ·•• 69 Oral Altswers,tu: ,.: ~ • ,. .. , /3 J~~Y lQ53. ' . :, '" ,. ~ , 'G;'uestions 70 Mr. Erzuah: I ~)a)lno'v:p~t ms £tnge'r ,R.evt~u>:of school :tex{-~ooki. by Text-books on a definite date b\l.t ill ttl e:\pectod' thar~' " . . . • , • Comn'dHee' • the expert will take about two months 55. Mr. Ororl Atta asked the Minister ~" to complete his investigations and I of Education and Social Welfare whether think it will take about two or three in view of the large number of books months to compile his report. which Primary and Middle School Discrimination Against Permitted Schools children are forced to buy and of the J '. , , 54, :\11'. Ofori AHa asked the Minister high cost of such books to poor parents of Education and Social Welfare and of the large number of such books ~ i whether in view of Government's policy which are not suitable to the children to accelerate educational expansion and and which are not used at all by the in view of the inability of the local children, Government will set up a '. J , government authorities and of the special Text-books Committee tl( review ,- ~-''- ".- .....~ - central government to provide sufficient all school text-books and to recommend number of schools for all children of a limited number of suitable text-books school-going age, Government will for use in each class of such schools? . \ review their present policy of discrimi- MI'. Erzuah: As I am informed the f nation against "Permitted" Schools, Honourable Member in reply to the in particular against their schoo1- similar question he asked me during the leaving certificates and trained last session of this House, I have still teachers? received no detailed evidence to persuade 1\11'. Erzuah: I am not aware of any me that the assumption he makes has discrimination against "Permitted" any substance in fact and, without such Schools, and I would invite the attention detailed evidence, which I again invite of the Honourable Member to paragraph him to provide for me to have investi- 7 of the Accelerated Development Plan gated, my answer is in the negative. for Education which has received the Mr. Ofori Atta: I am not going to approval of this Assembly. No change make a speech to the Ministerial in the existing policy, is contemplated. Secretary who was once a teacher, but 1\1r. Kusi: Will you say that teachers is he not aware that school children are in Permitted Schools are entitled to asked every year to buy about ten or pension after their retirement? eleven books costing about £3 and that Mr. Erzuah: They have no penSion. during the course of the year some of 1\11'. Ofori Atta: Is not that a discri- these books are not used at all? This mination ? everybody knows except you. Mr. Erzuah: No, Sir. It is a policy Mr. Erzuah: If everybody knows or a prinCiple that has been laid down. except me, that is why I am asking the 1\11'. Orofi Atta: Are you further Honourable Member to give me the ' .. aware that pupils of Permitted Schools evidence, are discriminated against in the issue Mr. Ofori AHa: That is why I am of certificates? asking that a special Committee should Mr. Erzuah: Pupils in Permitted be appOinted to go into it. Schools are issued with special certifi- Mr. Erzuah: It is not fair to ask cates by the Headmasters. Government to go round the country to 1\1r. Bediako Poku: Are you aware investigate thos~ things for which no ' .. that there are some schools in Kumasi evidence has been given. Certainly if in which the school teachers still collect the Honourable Member has seen a ':::... .... _ _ .. - ... ~. school fees from children? school or a particular teacher who is .. Mr. Erzuah: I am not aware, and 1 doing these things, what prevents him l will be grateful to the 'Honourable from bringing him forward for investiga- Member if he is prepared to give me the ~ion ? names of the schools in which school Mr. Ofori Atta: As Minister of fees are collected; I will then go into Education, are you sensitive to the the matter. cause of education in this country? Mr. Kusl: If there is no discrimination Mr. Erzuah: Yes, Sir. in Permitted Schools, why should there be Permitted Schools and Approved 9.15 a.m. Middle Schools? / Gran~s to Teacher Training Colleges Mr. Erzuah: I am not aware of any .. Mr. Magnus Sampson asked the discrimination, This is a system of Minis tel' of Ed uca ti on and Social Welfare Government. /' whether he realises the need for the '<. • , < " r " ' 71 Oral Ansu;ers to • :. w ~ vU~~.1~53 ••• ••• : : 'Qu~tip~! : ',2 [MIt. MAGNUS SAMPSON] • .. :.. : [M~. M.&CJlJus ~1'Q :. :: • :: reintroduction of the system <11" pa,rllg ... (oy 'D<1es" UH! Mtn.ist~r 'accef>t 'Me !ltct grants to Training Colleges for the < that at the present stage of our develop- training of student.s ? ment, secondary education should be l\lr. Erzuah: The Honourable Mem- given priority over elementary education ber's question is not fully understood by awarding more scholarships in the as Teacher Training Colleges are already secondary schools? fully assisted by Government in respect Mr. Erzuah: (a) I would refer the , ...... of the cost of tuition. Honourable Member to paragraphs 31 l\lr. Magnus Sampson: Is it not true and 39 of the A?celerate~ Development that you now pay salaries to the Pla.n for EducatIOn wherem Governm~nt , .~''',;; ~,I' • students in training instead of paying polIcy towards secondary boardmg ~I '~:... • ....... .~, .... '. ,,- ... _ - ..... ,..0# ._ .... a block grant to the Training College? schools is cl~ary laid dow~. l\lr. Erzuah: It is true that salaries (b) I am sati~fl.ed that, havmg regard to are paid to teachers, but it is also true all our educatIOnal needs, due em?ha.sis that Government pay grant in respect accorded to secondary educatIOn, with of tuition fees. regard to the award of secondary school l\lr. Kwest Lamptey: Have you found ~cholarshiPs the number has been the payment of grants to students mcr~ased. from 106 to 300 a year as satisfactory? prOVided 1U paragraph 83 of the Plan. .:. - -~ . .. l\lr. Erzuah: I presume the Honour- Lowering of Educational Standards able Member means salaries to teachers; 61. Mr. Magnus Sampson asked the it is satisfactory. Minister of Education and Social Welfare l\lr. Bediako Poku: When will the whether he accepts the fact that the. Government rescind the punishment Accelerated Plan is fast lowering the meted out to the 18 teacher students standard of education in this country? who passed out of Wesley College in Mr. Erzuah: I am unaware of any facts 1952 ? to ,support the Honourable Member's Mr. Erzuah: This is an entireiy question and I believe his question to be different question. based on an entirely fallacious premise. Mr. Bediako POku': It comes under Mr. Magnus Sampson:.Is the Minister Training Colleges. not aware of the dilution that is going Mr. Erzuah: We are talking about on in our education system? grants to Training Colleges. Mr. Erzuah: I would like to know l\lr. Speaker: It does not arise. exactly in what respect the Honourable Mr. Kwesi Lamptey: When will the Member uses the word '~dilution"; teachers who were penalised at Wesley otherwise I cannot answer. College get their grants? Mr. Kwesi Lamptey: Does not the l\lr. Ofori Atta: Where grants are Honourable Minister agree that there paid to Training Colleges in respect of is a lowering of standards of education scholars do the Government follow in this country, particularly in the these grants up by checking the dis- Primary and Middle Schools? bursement of these grants to the scholars Mr. Erzuah: I do not agree, Sir. concerned ? I am referring particularly to Wesley College. Gr(lnt-in-aid to Kumasi Night Secondary ~Ir. Erzuah: The accounts of the School Trai.nip.g Colleges are checked from time 75. Nana, Boakye Dankwa asked the to time. Minister of Education and Social Welfare l\1r. Bediako Poku: Are you aware whether he is aware of the existence of that when Wesley College grants were a Night Secondary School in Kumasi ? checked the Auditors found out that If ~o, what steps is he taking to give a they had overspent grants gi ven to them? grant-in-aid to such an important l\1r. Erzuah: I am not aware.' enterprise? Mr. Bediako Poku: Shame! Mr. Erzuah: Yes, Sir. As regards Government Scholarship Policy' re Second- the second part of the Honourable Mem- ary Schools ber's question, there is no provision in 60. Mr. Magnus Sampson asked the the Accelerated Development Plan for Minister of Education and Social Welfare Education for financial aid to this kind (a) 'What is the present policy of of institution and such assistance is G~vernment Luwards Secondary therefore out of the question during Boarding Schools? the present plan period. , . ,, ., ..•. ... .. .. · ·• ·· ... ..'. > ;'" t:~ ) , " J J .' • . • • • .. •• ••• .•. J ' > , .•. . ··.•. · , J , " · ·· 73 Oral Answers to" o~ (. ~ ~ < "'~3 ,:tv'Ll[ 1'9~ ( ' . ~ < '.. .- • f ~ Qu«stio~s 74 Nana Boakye :t)aBk~a:'~ Is~ ~ t~e<· [M<.&: E~z-t!AHl ~ ~ (: ~ : Minister aware that two 'oWe~rs of the 'are ~pcrima:rify re~pons·it)fe for welfare in Social Welfare Department have since urban areas, while the welfare of rural 1952 inspected this school with a view to areas is primarily' the concern of Mass considering the possibility of giving Education staff. grants to that school? ' Mr. Kusi: How does the percentage 1\11'. Erzuah: I am not aware of this of Mass Education Officers working in inspection, but the mere fact that an this area compare with the percentage inspection has been conducted does not of Mass Education Officers working in establish the right on the part of the other areas in Ashanti ? school to a grant. 1\1r. El'zuah: I cannot produce the " Mr. Kusi: In view of the fact that figures. The staffs are not allocated on the Government submit Supplementary a percentage basis. _T hey are allocated Provision to the Standing Finance on a number of factors: first, the position Committee for approval, will the of the number of staff and secondly, the Government consider' making Supple- area in which they work. mentary Provision - in aid of this Mr. Kusi: In view of the fact that institution? people in the Kumasi West Constituency Mr. Erzuah: It is not felt proper to are not satisfied with the work of the ask for money for such institutions Mass Education Officers, will you see to because it is not the only one of the it and recommend that the number type; there are hundreds of them which should be increased in order to provide fall outside the plan period. fair and satisfactory ' service to the ' people in that area? Financial Aid to Kumasi Girls' Training Mr. Erzuah: The staff position at Home and College ' the moment do~s not allow of any 76. Nana Boal.ye Danl{wa asked the increase in that area; when the staff Minister of Education and Social Welfare posi tion improves that will be considered. whether in view of the fact that a Girls' ' ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRIME Training Home and College has been MINISTER established in Kumasi fol' the past 11 The Prime Minister (Dr. Kwame ' years, the Minister has any plans to give Nkrumah): I beg to give notice that on financial aid to this institution? Friday 10th of July I shaH move the Mr. Erzuah: No, S'ir. , There is ' no following Motion in 'connection with provision in the Accelerated Develop- Constitutional Reforms: I ment Plan for Education for fi,nancial "That this Assembly, in adopting I- aid to this , kind of institution, and I ' the Government's White Paper on Con- I I regret that such assistance is out of the stftutional Reform, do authorise the question during the 'present Develop- i Government to request that Her ment Plan period. , ' Majesty's Government, -as soon as the \ I Strength 'oj ', Socidz WelFare' and Mass necessary constitutional and adminis- j - J' trative arrangements for independence Education staff in Kumasi West are- made, should ,introduce an Act of - Constituency rndependence into the United Kingdom 94. Mr. Kusi asked the Minister of Parliament declaring the Gold Coast Education and Social Welfare how ~ a sovereign and independent State many Social Welfare Officers and Mass ' 'within the Commonwealth; and further, Education Officers are working in the : that this Assembly do authorise the following ar'eas' in. the Kumasi West ;' Government to ask Her ' Majesty's Rural:- ~ Government, without prejudice to the 1. Atwima No.2 , \ above request, to amend as a matter of 2. Atwima Mponua ' ' ,urgency the Gold Coast (Constitution) 3. Teppa Order in Council, 1950, in such a way as to 4. Ahafo Areas ? -', provide inter alia that the Legislative Mr. Erzuah: There are eight Mass : Assembly shall be composed of members Education Officers working in the areas ' directly elected by secret ballot, and referred to-three in the Atwima No.2 that all members of the Cabinet shall' and ,Atwima Mponua 'areas, and five in be members of the Assembly and directly the Teppa and Ahafo areas. There are ' . responsible to it". / no Welfare Officers working in these I have another job to perform (cheers). areas for the reason that Welfare Staff Let us-come to business now. .~. . - . ; ,c 75 Announcement by :" ~3:Jm.,y .19$3" • " ." "··p~meMiJtiskr· :78 [DR. KWAME NKRUMAH] • " ". : V;~a mvcir Poojec~ i; 11~ prixi:1J;/1a: pf Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members~"I "p"artMrs"hip' oasea on' honesty ~nd think it desirable that I should inform equality. The scheme can be brought the House of the latest developments to reality only in this way. as no single on a matter on which all of us are vitally one of the possible participants has all concerned and, with your permission, the resources necessary in his own hands. I propose to take this opportunity of We must, therefore, carry the other doing so." partners with us in all we do in this . I refer, of ~ourse, to the Volta River matter. Project which Honourable Members ..-.:;. .~ .. will readily re'call was very fully debated 9.30 a.m. i~ r#.~j; ',~ \ :'-:':") r.;:",;.~ at our last meeting. On that occasion, The Assembly Resolution primarily ", ~!' ... '",_-'" "" J -:F"'" - I _ • . ~ • • J. this Assembly passed a resolution in envisaged two African members being ,.-... ....... ~ ----- the following terms :- appointed to the Commission itself, and . h ' __ ._ .;~ .. That this House, in the 'light of this suggestion has been carefully and . ...., "";, w ,", • • _.,~• • ;. ... the further stage reached in the sympathetically considered by Govern- negotiations on the Volta River ment and discussed with Her Majesty 's Project as set out in Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom . -'. ' ,..... Government White Paper Command and with Messrs. Aluminium Ltd. in 8702, and having regard to the terms Canada. As , a practical proposition, of this resolution on the development however, this proposal has three major __ r. ~ ... ""' _ ... "- ~ of the Volta River Basin made on the disadvantages. '- These are: first-it " .---_ ... ·.-.... -:1-.·. .. .-· 25th April, approves the conti- . would be a unila1eral departure from a ( ..~ . -: .....; :;~~:..:j-.-~..;-.~.:. . ~"'-;:..-~ 1952, nuation of the ~negcitlations and method of procedure already agreed 1 establishment of a Preparatory Com- with the other partners; second-it 1 mission with a view to arriving at a would mean that ' other interested final agreement, which will be in the partners would almost certainly be best interest of the Gold Coast, and forced to appoint their own representa- ' that the Gold Coast Government do tives to the Preparatory Commission, take up with' the United Kingdom with the result that the facility of Government the views expressed by operation by way of a single Com- the House on the Volta River Project, missioner, whom all three partners had especially that of enlarging the accepted, would b-e lost ; and thirdly- ::.:' Preparatory ' Commission to include the resulting Commission of seven or -:--., ,- ~ ...; ~ -,~-.. -. two other members nominated by the possibly nine members would be , ~'~:" ~~::y. -: -;.;.~L~;,;~:. Gold Coast Legislative Assembly". unwieldy and much less effective in the Honourable Members will' readily assembling of facts about the scheme, agree that the salient point emerging for the reason that the additional from the Assembly debate, and which members would be representing indivi- was the principal burden of the resolu- dual interests, and might well, in the tion to which I have referred, was the nature of , things, concentrate on -. concern of Honourable Members that continually trying to improve their own the interest of the Gold Coast people special position rather than on pure sh-auld in all respects be safeguarded. fact finding. Government fully share that concern Thus, If we have a seven or nine-man and have, in the interim period, been Commission, we would have created giving the most careful consideration quite the wrong piece of machinery for as to b.ow best the Assembly 's intention the job ahead of us. , could be met. However, the Government are .now ' A large number of considerations convinced that a more ' effective plan have had to be 'weighed by Government can be worked out by which the · in endeavouring to find a satisfactory interests of the people of the Gold Coast formula which would · meet the will be safeguarded at every turn, and Assembly's intention. It is desirable the wishes of the Assembly fully met. that Honourable Members shall fully Before putting this plan to the appreciate the factors which have guided .Assembly, I wish to emphasise the type the Government to their conclusion, of. work which the Preparatory Com- and I therefore propose briefly to outline mission must carry out. Its first duty what. .the principal among these con- must be t(} ascertain accurately every siderations are.~ factor which will ultimately control the First of all, I would remind Honourable development of the project. For Members that the whole essence of the instance, we must find out whether the , , , ,, , . ) lJ , .. ,, ,, .J .t ~ .. > • , , } } } , , , ., ; . } } } , , ) , , }, , , , , ,j } ,, ) . . (C £.~(: ( £,,"e •• 400 f.. t: . ~ c~ t f"{ 77 Announcement b1{ ~ < ~.~ ~~JVL"':{ <195~ < ; ,~ (~Pripte ¥it;.ister 78 [DR. KWAME NKR~ . ~ ~ ~ :;. ~ : < .4slfe.wbW. ~ TIt~ f'p6ci(.lJ. : C'ommissioner hydro-electric scheme can be developed would be available to attend meetings at a cost which will provide power at an of this Committee whenever so required. economic price. It is quite obvious· The Chairman would be a representative t·: ~'f' 7'! -:.~ ~:-" ;.- ...~ -:z ' .. ~_ I"" ",' that if we cannot produce cheap power, Minister and the Committee would i the entire scheme falls to the ground; meet regularly, receive frequent reports we must be absolutely certain on this from the Special Commissioner and .:. ~' -,-:- -:--~'--." -:-':, point. Can we build the port of Tema make whatever , recommendations it ~ ~ . .-.' . and the new railways at a cost which thought desirable to Government in • r. ... '. ~ - • would ensure that the movement of order to safeguard the interests of the . " -' ., bauxite and aluminium could be carried Gold Coast and its people. Office ·r out at reasonable rates? Again, if we accommodation for the Committee will I .• ' ! '" -.,.;'-'::;' . - cannot do this, the scheme will never be provided in the office buildings r- ~.-; ... ... - ... ;"..="~"-_- ...... start. Can we obtain the right kind of occupied by the Preparatory Com- labour and the right number of workers? mission, and the Special Commissioner Can we house them properly? What will give the members of the Gold Coast arrangements will be necessary for their National Committee every access to all feeding? Again, as was recognized at the information collected by the the last meeting of the Assembly, we Commission as it proceeds with its work must be supremely careful of the entire of establishing the facts by which this healt h problem. scheme must ultimately be controlled. These are the kind of facts which the The Gold Coast National Committee Preparatory Commission must first will thus be kept fully and constantly ascertain-and there are many more- informed of all aspects of the Prepa- before any of the partners will be able ratory Commission's work. to decide whether he will participate Secondly, the Government intend to in the scheme. For instance, the invite at the appropriate times, men of Government have not been unmindful international r epute in the fields of of other points raised in the last debate hydro-electric engineering, economics ' and particularly on methods of financing and finance to come to the Gold Coast the Gold Coast share of the scheme, and as advisers to the Gold Coast National the maximum benefit that the Gold Committee and the Government of the Coast can derive from it: These are Gold Coast. These men would be both vital matters but they cannot be paid by the Gold Coast Government considered properly until we know, with and would be the servants of the Gold absolute certa~nty, whether the project Coast Government. They would have is technically sound. The first work it as their primary responsibility to facing the Preparatory Commission is to safeguard the interests of the Gold carry out detailed investigations into Coast and its people, although there - every aspect of the problem. This stage would be no objection to their advice of the Preparatory Commission's work. being made available to the Preparatory can be regarded as the Fact-finding Commission. In this connection, I wish Stage, and will probably take at least to inform Honourable _,Members that ;' another eighteen months. Government have approached Dr. Arthur I Now it is obvious that a seven-or nine- . Morgan,_);he first Chairman of the man Commission is neither necessary , '-Tennessee Valley Authority, and Pro- I nor suitable for that kind of job. On 1 fessor Arthur Lewis of Manchester , the other hand, each of the partners University-an economist of world-wide I wishes to be reassured that the Prepara- ~ reputation. I am happy to say that I tory Commission does, in fact, do its both these experts have accepted our . 1 work efficiently and accurately, and to invitation. In addition, General Russell this end, so far as the Gold Coast is one -of the foremost authorities in the concerned, Government have prepared world transport, has also indicated his proposals which I shall now put to willingness to help us. There is no Honourable Members. . doubt that the attitude of these First of all, the Government intend d~stingu~Sh~d ~en can be regarded a~ a , to establish immediately ar Gold smcere m~lCatlOn of th.e confidence .m, Coast National Committee for the Volta ~nd goodwlll towards, this country which , J River Project. This Committee would lS felt overseas. have as members, the Ministers of kThirdlY, the Government intend to Finance and of Commerce and Industry, ake available to the Legislative I I and three persons nominated by the ssembly the official reports of these . I " ! . j- ' .. , , ~,,\' ~ , ~. ' ?:~\,,~. ./ '::~ ," <',- L' c' c :.".\ c' , ~.. r' • ' h ~3 JV,LY (~95~' ( :, " , '~iV;C;"I1inister 82 [DR. KWAME NKRm}AISl ( ~~ : ~ ( • ( l\I(l~• •~ hen~-Dj~n: 'qo ; ; 85 MoHons ." I.. < '~ JVl.Y 1003 B'lls~'icc'ollf'! OMcling 86 " R. ADJANtl : : .: ~ ':: • [~:K, i\..~BElh:MA1J) .:, man might H\'ea thouSltJ:ld yMrsor mbrll. ' J'tescMrcos' ahtl.' the Dopartmonts oon- This is somet.hing really unbel1e\'ll.ble cerned have therefore agreed that tho but is a great truth. Ministry of Commerce and Industry lnspite of thi gro.'tt sCientific thcra- 1s the appropriate ultimate authority poautie age my Honourable Minister to be responsible for the inspection of the Minister of Health asked me to Bee all produce including coconuts. The him in his :Ministry so as to have the proposed amendment is purely formal matter settled. In view of this promise and its object is to subl!titllt.1j the to me, I beg to withdraw the motion. Commissioner for Commerce for the (Laughter). Director of Agriculture as the authority \ for the inspection of fruits. 10.00 a.m. 1\llnistcl'ial Secretary to the :\Ilnj<;try Dr. Au~ah Koi (rose) of Commerce and Indtlstry (;Ur. E. K. Honourable :Ucmbcl's; Order! Order! llco.,ah): I beg to second the motion. Order! Sit down. Question put, and agreed to, and the ~Ir. Speakcr; The motion is wiLh- Bill was read a second time. dra\\'n and there is no need to speak on Bill committed to a Committee of the it again . What do you want to say? whole House. Dr. Ansah Kol: What I want to say Bill in Committee. is this, that I am very glad that the Clauses 1 and 2 and the Long Title Honourable Member has v.'ithdrawn his ordered to stand part of the Bill. motion. (Uproar Laughter). House resumed. Bill reported without amendment, Inst rumellts ordered by Dr. J. E. Kofie read a third time, and passed into law. :Ur. A. R. Boak~'e (Rural Member. Amansie): I wish to state in connection The Coconut Industry Regulation (Amend- with the motion: ment) Ordinance 1953-Second Reading "That Government do consider 1\11'. Gbedemah: I beg to move the releasing Dr. J. E. Kofle's Delewar second reading of the Bill intituled "An Colorscope Instrument ordered from Ordinance further to amend the Coconut his Tutors in Britain for the purpose Industry Regulation Ordinance". of his Homoeopathic Practices and The purpose of this Bill is similar to detained by Her Majesty's Customs the Fruit Ind ustry Regula ti ons Ordinance Takoradi" which has just been passed, tha.t is, to standing in my name on the Order Paper give statutory effect to the transfer of that the Ministry responsible has fully Produce Inspection from under the explained the whole matter and there- authority of the Department of Agricul- fore I crave your indulgence, Sir, to ture to under the authority of the withdraw the motion. Commissioner for Commerce. Like the preceding Bill, all it does is to BILLS-SECOND READING substitute the Commissioner for Com- The Fruit Industry Regulation (Amend- merce for the Director of Agriculture ment) Ordinance, 1953--Second Reading as the authority for the inspection of !\1inlster of Commerce and Industry coconuts. CUI'. K. A. Gbedemah): I beg to move Mr. Speaker, I beg to move. the second reading of the Bill intituled Mr. Bensah: I beg to second themotion. "An Ordinance to amend the FrUit Motion made, and question proposed, Industry Regulation Ordinance ". that the Bill be read a second time. In the light of experience gained it Mr. J. K. Quashle (Rural Member has been decided that the Produce for Anlo): I would have wished that for Inspection service would be more the . present the coconut industry logically placed under the Ministry of remainded a subject under the Ministry Commerce and Industry, than under of Agriculture and Natural Resources the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural in view of the fact that ooconut produc- Resources because whereas Produce is tion in this country is rapidly declining. solely a matter for the Department of If it remained the subject of the Ministry Agriculture. the question of preparation of Agriculture and Natural Resouroes. for disposal and sale of the produce is the Minister would be foroed to see to it properly the function of a Marketing that the coconut disease was sta.mped or Commercial Organization. The out. As soon as the industry is plaoed Ministry of Agriculture and Natural under the Ministry of Commeroe a.nd " . .. ., .... , , ~.. . \' , ~ '.. , .,' .' fl/- . J. K. • • • • "AlIllla) :.' : •• nOuelr~·. h \'I'\er, 1 flf'l that. t.111' p 11 y ad ptei1 l., til Minh,tor of 1'1 uH.um and 'til u I 1 HI /lOUl ce~ to\Hlrds co onu" in('lu tl t w11l coaf' to hl clf~ ·t ll. Mini t~r ,.f \ gl'iI'lI II 111'1' nlld Sat ""a1 Rl· ... (.U!·Cl·!o (:\tr. ('n ... "I~· IIR~ fOl'tI): 1 ohj ct, t.o thl' /(ltssC_-/(Iirc eug e tion as to the atl1tucte of \,ho nlwd,'mllh: I t.hlnk lh' fin! tel' of ri ultuI'I'. W hall do Ilonourabh M('mbor w nt.a f nth T all \\ e an to 1'1\\'~ the coconut indust.ry. cxplanRt,1on. L t us tf~l(( th, . an!11o y 1\11'. (~ull .. hl~: I am till devl'loping of tho cocoa Indu t.ry In this country, J:m' point. In 1951 it was first brought to The can) of th Industry 1 th. n' Don j. the noUce of the Ministel' of Agriculture hlllty of tho MinI t.ry of Agrl cultur nd ,,'atural R sources that there was and Natural Rvsollrc' , but. tbf sal. of coc nut disea along the littoral of the cocoa !lnd its or~anitsation ill hI r '&- Anlo State, HI' gave an assuranc that ponslhil1ty of thr~ Minis ry of Comm ·rc S 1'aso and Industry. This Bill is trying to would be stamped out. We have often effect the same an'angemcnt wltb r gard b en told that a Plant Pathologist would to copra. be lU\'ited into th country. So far we :\11'. ®y ·'bU't"'lfo~that\he'nov&nmen~aMtalHng what I said. full responsibility. the licensed buying The condition of service of the Graders agents will only act on behalf of their has been very seriously considered at employers; but if their decision is in present. and I am sure that those who any dispute then they have to appeal accept that kind of work will be satisfied to the Government Graders. with the salary and the conditions under Dr. Ansah Koi: I would like to ask which (interruption)- the Minister to clear one point. I think, An Honourable l\Iember: They are there is a complaint from the farmers not satisfied! that when their cocoa is upgraded at the l\lr. Gbederuah: Well. I am afraid if port the difference is not received by they are not satisfied. they ought to them. I would therefore like to know leave it and find some other work to do. from the Minister who gets the difference -'~ ~ . ...... " - - .- ' . The Honourable the Second Territorial when the farmers' cocoa is upgraded at .. ~.- , _ ~,,_;... . ". ..- ., ' ~ " . .. ::-,1 Member for the Colony still raised the the port. point that he thought that this Mr. Gbederuah: I would try to marketing and grading of cocoa for explain this point although it is very export should be left to the Ministry of difficult. The Honourable Member Agriculture. I am afraid we ca=ot knows very well that farmers sell their accept that suggestion. The responsi- cocoa and when they have been paid for bility for producing and preparing cocoa their cocoa their responsibility ceases for marketing will still be the prime in connection with the cocoa. It is responsibility of the farmer under impossible when the cocoa has been instruction from the Ministry and bought in small bits and bagged and Department of Agriculture. But when transported from far away to the port the cocoa has been fully prepared and is for any officer to be sure that a parti- offered for sale then the authority for cular bag of cocoa belongs to a farmer deCiding whether that cocoa is Grade I called Kwesi Abuah in ' Odumase or Grade II should come under a com- (laughter). So I am afraid. Sir. that mercial organisation; and if the after the farmer has had every oppor- prinCiple has been accepted for other tunity while the cocoa is still in his produce. I do not see why we should presence for him to deal with it. after make an exception for cocoa. that stage the responsibility ceases and The Honourable Member for Amansie devolves on the Government, , , asked to know whether private graders Dr. Ansah Koi: In that case that will .... ~ ,.. will be eliminated. This scheme is to bring some sort of hardship to the provide Government grading. and farmers. I would therefore like to know ....:. . ... private licensed agents who are still from the Government whether they will operating in cocoa would have the devise some method so that the option to engage their own graders. and difference in price of the cocoa will be ~'..'. . ... -t . ...... : ......... " if there is any doubt or if there is any given to the owner. dispute between the quality as declared Mr. Gbedemah: May I suggest to the by these agents then the farmers will Honourable Member that as a responsi- have the right to appeal to a Govern- ble citizen he has every right to make ment Grading Officer and his decision contributions to this scheme to make it .' will be final; and it is the Government a success in the interest of the country. Officer who will finally grade the cocoa and if he has any useful suggestions and seal it for export. (lnterruption)- which will improve what we are trying Mr. A. R. Boakye: I would like to to do. we shall accept them. With these know from my Minister the reason for r emarks. Sir. I beg to move that the removing the names of these private question be now put. ." graders from the Register? Because Question put, and agreed to. and the hitherto these peoples' names have Bill was read a second time. ."' ,,; ...... - been in the Government Register and Bill committed to a Committee of the they were being paid by the firms. whole House. Mr. Gbedemah: The explanation to Bill in Committee. that is that before Government t ook up The Suort Title ordered to stand part the responsibility for grading cocoa. of the Bill: any certificates issued by the licensed Clauses 2. 3, 4. 5, 6 and 7 ordered to buying agent graders were accepted, stand part of the Bill . •• • fIJ" ... . . .. .. ~ • •• • . .. . ... ... .,.. . r . '.','-_"' ' ...• .... .-..~.. •• '... .~ ....•.. , _ . .. . j: .' .. • ....•. ' . .••. .•.. , .... ..... .. . '" ..... . .. ... ..... .,.~ ,) "::~.,- . , .;. ;'~"""':-.. : -. . ~ . ,,, ". . ... . . -" >. ' - .... ; ~-' :t'" '-'. 97 Bills--:~: :;~~~ . r f ~ , t' ~ ~ : t ~, ~~':? r19~ , ' ~ i. ""$e~cMil Q,~~ding 98 Clause 8: ; ; ( : ' ~(~. i- . Wo. I{:",~i: I~:unMrstaM~tlle explana- Mr. C. E. Osel (Thlrd ' Tehtto'rial £1flon! '31'1', ( B'a'0' a ' Magi~~rate a.ii?g~. "1(") 'MJL K. A. GBEDEXAR] Q:K.sti01:. ~ut, =d Iqr~e.!· to, ~ tire - 1953. 'Was en.at:~d which enabled the ~ 311~ was rOOd a--~ohd ~ik~.. ' ~" (;Qvernor in Coullcil to delegate to the Bill committed to Ii Committee of the Con:unissioner of Commerce or any other whole House. officer by an order the prescribing of :lmportaUon or'~xPfJrtation .conditions Billm Go-:rr.ittoo. in respect of goods whicb have been Clauses I, 2. 3 and the Long Title made a subject of preservation. After ordered to stand part of :the BilL the I'nactment of the Ordinance it v.-as Honse re::umed. not1c'~d tbat the wordll ··.of may prohibit irrrpah: I lJeg to second the Monday the 6th of July. 1953, at 9 motion. o·clock. .... . ... D .. ~ . \ - ~ . - - ~ ----- Control: 3479 Rec'd: Augu s t 12, FROM: Accr , 12: 28 p.m. 10 ,1 TO: )CL )LI NO: 18, August 12, Noon ;IA ::ES 3Y Nkrumah hopeful Department comment re Westerfield- subject my despatch 171 June 29. Intends offer employment unless derogatory information forthcoming. Advise. COLE AW/ 15 ~"- ~ ~ =&"> r ):;, :n C; ; 0- :E G') m 0 ~ : ~ rJ": : . P.l to 1== (J1 w ~l =.: J ') ~ ) , " I} C'P " . " , " () " ~ .. ," '. REPRODUCTION FROM THIS CONFIDE~I!\;L :3EC~3IT:( :q~FOt-M1}'l'I0'J.'f ,, " COpy, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PERMANENT . h . f . kPROHIBITED RECORD COPY • This copy must be returne d to DC/R centra 1 fil es Wit notation 0 action ta en - ~.,.111" ..J .. ..,-D~.par tn;te~t,-o_-. ,tate ~ ~ ~ , v -1oAII.~.. J I ' c6m~ffl:.~ sroUiU-n'IN:?OR:·1ATIOU PM 5 46 i: C las sification DCIT 6jJi SENT TO: Amconsul ACCRA, GOID COAST 13 - Department mailed comments August 70 s , ~Cf I c..--f=- :1 [i~ "I- 04 .... I lelegraphic transmiulofl and \. , NE.A:AF:JJD n:deh 8/12/5 d ...m ea';on a""rovod by. ill S/S-qjRV- AUG :12 i9~. CONFIDiimiL S~uiiT}!bNF0!U.fA-a(-'N !EP~'JDUCTION FROM THIS I, (OP'Y. IF CLASSIFIED, IS O()'\ • • • .., i' ••••• ,. ~ -'.I J2..; _~) _ ~JWHIBITED. \ Classification .-z-. ------------------------------~----------------~ . DO NOT T'(PE IN THIS SPACE • AIR PCUCH RESTRICTED , PRIORITY• .. .. .. , .. .. (SY?cuT"l t".ClasS'tJ''JllC:a"tz -,,,) • : ' '( :;. :" ) :', 845k 2614/8-125 FOR ErG N S? ~ ~('r C;E' J!> E ~ J! A1 ', c' N, : , . .. .. , .... . : :---":, ..j :". . '---./ N~A FROM American Consulate, Accra Gold Coa"llL----:~~o---r.i':n_..__iL__._~"__1'"~I!:H_£'_l:r_---~"f-'. ..... DES. NO. I Lv'::: . b t. 1..., t : '- TO TIlE DEPARTlIIE:-iT OF "STATE, WASIIINGTON. °LJi{ugust 12~ 1953 A/ OA -, ~ REF C~qp, Novem~/r4: 1952, Section D-3; Accra' '1fflsAOOcP1;~q4M7q,i ~'11y J}, .1953 /' U . - 'I' )r( /-" It- ~c......-d· -'- ( 17 ACTION. DEPT. For Dept. NEA ~ REP EUR aLI E IB3\ IPS UNA va IES / U,e Only ~RE~C~'D~--~F OTHE~R'----------------------------c/~~~ hm AUG 14 0 COM FOA IN ARMY CIA LONDON MO ! , SUBJECT: Recent O::curences Regarding Volta Project. I , i / /'~/ Supplementing earlier communications regarding th:VOl"ta--&-o-.jeGt-tn:: are I transmitted he~with copies of two press releases (unclassified) on that subject. The first of these, dated July 8, 1953, gives the membership and terms of refer-~ ~ g ~ ence of the Gold Coast National Connnittee for the Volta Project. The second, ';' ;. ':; dated August ~ announces the forthcomip~ visit of Ministers and members of the ~ ~ National Committee to Canada in September, 1953. ~ en August 10, I discussed the visit to Canada with Commander JACKSON, head 00 ~ of the Volta River Preparatory Commission. He said that in view of the brief 01 period of time during which the leading members of the delegation could be $lbsent :A from the Gold Coast, he did not think it practicable that they should endeavor to • include points of interest in the United states in their itinerary. He added ~ that there w"ere plans to send a larger delegation to Canada in about March, 1954. m At that time, he felt sure, the question of inspecting hydroelectric and smelting ~ installations in the United states would be seri ously considered. w oc:t" I- 0 ~ l- '<:T ::z: V> u E!u.. z :'E _ 0 a.. ~ - " c::: ~-:.ILJ-z ~CD CJ w ucn ~r.~ w ..... ~ : 00 Cl::~ c::: I- American Consul ~ o Cl:: L> 0.... Cl: w LU a:: a ~ I - /~;- Enclo~es: fit ­ \;two press releases of Gold Coast Government. ~ :-) >,:"1, ~ r-I -":;1 r Department please send copies to London and Montreal. f:zj co t; :E c:n 0 L Co> ~ WFPo1e lram " ' REPORTER I.(/~ The action omc this ermanent recor 0 R illes w' 0.,. No_ __ UNCLASSIFIED Encl. No. 1 Fnm'--____~ --- . . .. ' . , . , [)esp. No.-,2r;.,.J~_ , ,:J. :. ."• ..,..) • ·. ,~ . ~r(lll1 A.ccra, /1.. C. ~ ~. . . . .. PRESS RELEASE NO. 932/53 GOLD COAST NATIONAL COMhlITTEE FOR THE VOLTA RIVER PROJECT STATEMENT BY THE ffi~ MINISTER TO BE MADE IN THE ASSELffiLY ON 8TH JULY, 1953. Mr. Specker, Honourable Members, in the statement concerning the Volta River Project which I made to the House last Friday I outlined Government 1s intention to establish farthwith a Gold Coast National Committee for the Volta River Pro- ject. Government has since given the most serious consideration to the composition and terms of reference of this Committee and as a result of our deliberations it has been agreed that the membership of the Committee shall be as followst- Chairman. The Minister of Development, or a representative Minister nominated by him to represent him. Members. The Minister of Commerce and Industry The Minister of Finance Dr. J. C. de Graft-Jo hnson Mr. T. M. K. Mercer Mr. William E. A. Ofori....A.tta The Special Commissioner, Volta River Preparatory Commission, will be avail- able for consultation whenever required. The teI'IlS r:£ reference of the Committee will be as follows:- (1) To consider the Volta River Project ald to make any necessary recaDIE ndations to the G~vernment of the Gold Coast. (2) To consider, as a special aspect of its responsibility under (1) above, any steps which ~ be thought desirable to protect the interests of the people and the Government of the Gold Coast. (3) To consider reports f rom the Special Commissioner on any aspect of the scheme sutmitted to tlem. (4) To advise the Preparatory Commission for the Volta River Project I on any problems which the SJ!Cial Commissioner may refer to it. ~ :. ~ .; . • ~S:rrm:r •• .. ." .J . .. . 1 .J • .• . .• ... . .. .. .• ·· · .·..• . . ··· ... ... . . · . ··· · • • - ~,, - Oesp. No ___ UNCLASSIFIED _ Encl. No.---I.'_- From_'_ ___~ ---- _ (Clq.HificaJinn)~ " . Desp. No.-,2"",3o<...-_ ~. . ~ . • c ".,.. tJ •, Fmm Accra, G. C. - . -~ ~ , ) (I '" \I , PRESS RELEASE NO. 1055 "I FROM THE INFORNJATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ACCRA. GOLD COAST DELEGATION TO VISIT CANADA The Gold Coast Government is to send an important delegation of Ministers and membera of the National Committee for the Volta River Project to Canada in September. The party will inspect installations for the production of power and aluminium, in order to assist them in their work in connection with the Volta Project. The delegation will be headed by Mr ~ K. A. Gbederoah, Minister of Commerce and Industry. With him will be Mr. K. C. Tours; Acting Minister of Finance; Mr. K. Kojo Batsio, Minister of Education; Mr~ w. E: Ofori~tta, Mr. T. M. Kodwo Mercer, Dr. E. K. Kurankyi Taylor, and Dr: J. C. de Graft Johnson, members of the National Committee "for the Gold Coast; Mr. Kofi Baako, Personal Assistant to the Prime llinister; Mr. Gerald Plange, who will act as Press Officer to the party; and Mr. S. lol. Codjoe, Secretary of the National Committee, who will accompany the delegation as secretary. " Leaving Accra by air on September 9, the party will pass through London and reach Montreal on September 12. They will spend several days visiting plants belonging to the Aluminium Company of Canada, both in operation and under con- struction. On September 21 it is hoped that they may visit. Ol;tawa, the ses:t of the Canadian Government. On September 23 the party 1'1111 return t.o the United ·10-ngdom for a furt.her dx days. There it" is hoped that they may be shown various aspects of British alumi- nium production, and one of the large-scale projects being carried out under the supervision of Sir William Halcrow and Partners, consulting engineers to the Volt.a River Project. The party will return to the Gold Coast on September 30. lir. Gerald Plange, of the Information Services Department, will provide the Gold Coast press and broadcasting service with frequent accounts of the activities of the delegation: (ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT) THURSDAY 6th AUGUST, 1953. L " I ·· ·UN~DliJ)·· .\. ;) -I ." ." • ••• • .a . .. ·. .. ... ;J J _~ ~ • • •• . J ,J .... ••• ~ . ·• .• .. · ·· ... . • • .... ___ ; • ~") L--.,..-,-~-.;:,..-~-- PRIORITY • > FROM TO REF .. --- DEPT. 7 / I ~ REP LI* E For Dept. -' N / Use Only ~RE=c""'D--, -1 F O"'T""H~ER;;------+-----------'----"""'-7'--A-I-R---:CC--::I::-:A--';F=O"'A-'----D-I\-r:-P-t'1,.( ;!;),; I.- '-;;;1 hI AUG 17/ 0 IN* Am-IT . .nou SUBJECT: Note on "Volta Ri v r" Aluminum Proj ect _./' -:; ,,; '- ~ -~-<-OJ ~{,'~ -. i (")', ../.. ~< :",f'!("h"' ~ .1.,- "\I.'. 0 I 'i£ """ U ~ 7. , ~'. _A_'__. ~v L/.~ ~~ _£//...-- ...-.-' - , ~ The Times of London ~:;~;~~~)flo~?~u~uslv~~'i'9 i5~~'~th;~ ~h;. Gol;i~~ Coast Go ver.r..JIlent was to send Ita delegation of l-Einisters and members of the national oommittee for the Volta River Project to Canada in Sept ember". The party-would leave Accra on September 9, pass through London and arrive in Montreal, Canada, on September 12. They hoped t to visit Ottawa on September 21, and then return to the Gold Coast by way of this COUll try, where they "may be shown various aspects " of Bri tish aluminimu production lf • The Times also reported that: . : OJ "The delegation will be, headed by Mr. K. A. Gbedemah,... ~ ~ 6i Minister of Commerce and Industry. With him will be Mr. K. C. . , A Tours, acting Einister of Finance; Mr. Kojo Botsio, Minister • of Education; Mr. W. E. Ofori Atta, l\'fr. T. M. Kodwo Mercer, 1\) Dr. E. K. Kurankyi Taylor, and Dr. J. C. de Graft Johnson, en members of the national cOlnmi ttee for the Gold Coast; Mr. Kofi -..\, Baako, personal assistant to the Prime Minister; Mr. Gerald ~ Plange, who will act as Press Officer to the party; and''''<;.. ....... Mr. S. M. Codjoe, secretery of the national committee who will CO accompany the delegation as secretaryo" Enclosed are five copies of a clipping from the Financial Times of July 28th entitled "The Volta River Project", which reviews briefly some of the features of the plan and paints to some of the problems and difficulties. It utters the opinion that whereas "caution and restraint in a matter of involving a capital outlay of this size are thoroughly justi:fied lt , and Parliament will not "grant the necessary financial powers" until a favorable report from the Preparatory Commission has been rendered, there would not appear to be any reason for regarding the project as other than "economically attractiVe: aad [emrfl~ntly practical". t;C\D It ends on the interesting note that "the fate of the Volta Hi ver ~?h,em~. ~s ,like~..; to be a major influence in the shaping of Coloniial ' De.ve-lopmB.6.t 1t' • L . - ('1-:'. ~ WFBusser:eab t »)'0 'NCT~ h~&J..j !FITJJT~)~ ~3~ ~ J ~ _::I-j ~ ~ "''' # REPORTER , ., ~ , ~ ) ACTION C)OpyJ ~ bEPARTMENT 'OF ~STAiE ' . cf~~(~ 1:>,?i~~ .' . • • ." I A • d~ 1/ it tV E 4 .nJ,ly, ""2B ,,. 1953.1, ': f7 THE VOLTA .iUVER PROJECT I T liB Volta. from its JIOun:e Ironically enough. tome criliCi 10 F rencb WeSI Afnca. in the UDlled KJngdom bave .0.0"'1 some 900 miles south· drawn altention to the danler I ward 10 empty into Ihe Gulf of oC pounDI money ioto what they . Gwn ••• about fifty miles ust of blve called a potenllal Abadan. I Accra. Its course IS marJ..ed by whIle. in the Gold Cout Leilia· I abrupt bends and rapids Ibat latlve ASllicmbly. voices have make it praclicaUy useless to beeo beard demaodlOg that the J Da \;gat.JClIL In the past.. its ma.in Gold C03~t be JPvco a Larier ! contribution to the economy of sha re io tbe whole project to • Ibe Gold Coast bas beeD by way allow Ie'.! rehance 00 Bnll&b of supporting a smon fi.b101l In· financial help. Id uslry. FINANCIAL BASIS l\LUOR SCHEME WHATEV ER modIfication. BUT to-day its name is l.i.D..ked the Prepardtor) Commission' to one of the arutest schemes may 5u@ge\t, It 15 doubtful of Colomal de ..~ lopmeDt e' er whether their finanCial esllmates contemplated. B) thiS scheme the Will dep.ut ~ub tanuaUy from Go, crD~DI$ of the UDlted .ho", already pUbhmed. These Kin8dom and the Gold Co. . ~ allow for an ultimate total capJll1 together "",th British and Cana- outlay of some !144m. The Gold dlOln aluminium companies. Cont Go\,ernment would be '"'Quid estabh~h laftc-sclle alu- cnllrely re'ponslble for the eMI minium producllon In the Gold of the new pori. (or transpor1 Coast by dC\'clopIDi tbe re- and for other public works aod sources of bauxite and water- would share Wllb the Bntub power that arc found there. Government 10 the po~er pro- The history of this proje<:t 1:0<5 accomplisbed-there cao be: no from 5-7 yean after the work ject, though the maJor sbare 10 back as far as 1914. when doubt. Its impact on the begms.. thiS would be contributed by tbe deposits of bau,ite \\cre first economy of Ihe Gold Coast Unlled KlOgdom.. The . two disco\'crai' 00 Mount EJuaocma., would be deciSive, not only At Kpong. 12 mlle. dIStant 10 Governments and tbe alum.lOlum from Ajena. the aluminIUm Dcar l\'L.aVroLaw. This discovery broadenmg tbe comparatIvely compaOlC:S Will sbare ID the cost smelter would be erected; H drew attenllon to .he possibility na.rrow basis on which that of Ihe 'molter. hut the Gold COl" economy now rests and would baH an annual capacity of gencratlOg hydro-dectnclty In GOHrnment \Jrould have the I for usc to produciol alumimum providlDg a constaot and \iery of 80,000. event uaUy n!tmg to nght to provide 10 per ceOL of :210.000 tons. The baUXite de · from the local ore. The IDler· valuable export matenal. but the equu\ capital. On tbe pre\eDt war years s.aw the ap~araoce of also by encouragmg the multiplJ- pct~IIS al 'preaso and Yenahin ('stlmate\. the ma~lmum e~peodl­ catioo of trained n3t!\le engineers would be developed (0 supply it two detailed schemes. one origin- ture by the Uruted t\..mgdom Jt is lAorth noting thai known ating ",dh tho Gold Coa.t and by supplying hydro--electnc GO\lernmenl would be somewbat power to maoufacturing ,"dus- reser~es of bau\'lte In the Gold Go\'ernmc.nl, and the sK"ond. :!OOm. 10 exeC!., of £56m. Coast e~cced tOO5 some }'eill'S later, the work of Mr. tries of \\-hlch the country IS in E. D C. Rose and a firm of grut need. Finally. along with the con- CO'1L"G REPORT Sol,lth Mricaa engineers. struction of the power·1'j13110n, For the UOlled KlOgdom II the reserVOII 3Dd the meirer, U~~~~~~I~~~y ~ ma~:e~U~~ would mean ao assured supply WHITE PAPER would be a large·scale e,tenslon \lolvlO8 a capital outlay ot thi.s of aluminium. a matenal whlcb A of public works. ranging from s.ize are thoroughl~ Justified , and. ITER Lbe interruptIons of in less tban halt 8 century has the prOVision of new port faelll- In fact . the G"verom~nt has been war. in 1950 work was begun established itself as a non-ferrous Ile~ 10 the building of new nul- careful to emphasl~ that It bas OD mvesbgatiog tbe possibilities metal of major Importance In "'ays. roads and houses Work not gone be)ood staling tbat It ~ of dcn:lopm8 the full resouroes of 1951 BWlsh consumption of i.s. 10 facl~ already well 10 hand in principle fa\ourablc to part~C1· tbe \' olla. The stage has nov. a luminium was 316.000 tons, and on the conslructlon of a new port p.won 10 the heme.. Not until a been reached where a Govern- It has been calculated that Unlled at Tema. y.h ich the Gold Coast la\lourable report trom the Pre- ment White Paper on the Volta Kingdom requirements are likely Government has decided neces- parJtor\' Comml~Jon ..... ,11 Parha- River Scheme .... as published In to Increase at an a\erage rale or sary, apart from lIS IOtegratlon ment be a~led to grant the J95:2. and., early thIS )ear, after a 5 per cent. o\er the period 1950- 1010 the Volta. project ne~e~sar) financial poy.en.. As three-( wl1h the or the groundnuls scbeme. wise of the scheme is out of IOto three parts, Frrst., It 10- demand It will ma~e on. for should put a stop to all ambitious court. The practical difficulties \'olves the coostrUcl.lon of a example. labour rc\ources, IS s hemes of Colorual develop- are considerable, tbe capital pOlAee station at AJena, 70 miles obVIOUS enough. What has ment. expenditure involved is immense. from the f1\1er mouth , and the attracted most critici,m, how- Meanwhile, the fate of tbe: and maners purely pohticaJ are buildtng of a reservoir with an ever, both in the Gold Coast aod Volta River Scheme IS likelY to hkely to affect Its progress. area of :'.000 'iquare miles. It the United Kingdom. has been be of major Influence in tbe I As to the advaotages of the is e"pected that h)'dro-el~ctric the proposed method of financ- shaplOg of future Colonial de-scheme-if it is successfuUy power would become a\lallable Ing the scheme. \le!opmenl. 1 ________ " J " .JoJ oJ J, ,,# .,#.J ) .. mucH DO NOT TYPE IN THIS SPACE AIR ,CONFIDEm'IlL • , I ~.,...J '.. ~RI~RITY , (Stt::uTi./y C!!1H;,~c.!'tiom) FOR E I G N S E :t V ICE C Z s i> ATe ;-; FROM American Consulate General, Accra TO THE DEPARTl\rENT OF STATE. WASHINGTON. September l6~19S35"'" . , -/-.5>- /( ,v -Il ~Y1653 ffiOM AmeriCAln Con.su.late General, J.ccra uE . o. TO TlIE DEPART at. ·T OJ>. STATE, WASlIL"GTO:\'. CUE REF : CERP, )to. 14, 1952, Section D-3. / / /r :: ~~HJ: a tentativ~ stimat of the timing, or "phadng" of the Volta River Project. Commander Robert G. I.. JACKSON, head of the Volta River Prepu-atcry CoCllllisaicn, prepared the follow-- tin. t tle during August, 1953, and it represents hi. current thinking about tj'le, ;:" e qu DC and timing of the varioWl aspects of the Project. :::: :- . (t' " Ul (a) By th end of 1953 a dec! ion about tenders for the port of Tema. (b) By about 1pril or Kay, 1954, general agreement that the Volta Project OJ 1. technically fea 1bl and it ia worth while going out to tender to ~ ucertain it any contractor in the world would build the power project 01 for f~ur. approximating that estimated by the consulting engineera. /\ I.t thi time it could decided whether the World Bank ahould be • inrit d to survey th project with a view to _)dng a lean to the Volta f\) River A.uthority later on i! requested to do 80. en (c) By J ,1954, work on Te to have .tarted. (d) By bout ovember, 19S4, conaider tlon by the consulting engineer. of any tender. r c iv d for caaatruction of the power project. ( ) End or 1954, I' port from tb consulting engineer. on thoae tender. which m uld at t1af tory for th connruction or the power project. 01 Dur th. p d th Pr par t.cry Co:m1 aion could f!nUh its wrk _ _ _ • , J , , . • , > . , !":~C;n Q- " :t :. :» ') . , - a '" - "" . lappropriate legislation, conducting negotiations with the World Bank (if' necessary) and making preliminary arrangements in the Gold Coast for the provision or housing, and the appointment of key staff. There is general agreement here that such a "Year of Grace- would be essenta1 to the smooth initiation of the scheme. (h) 1st January, 1956, possible date for atarting construction on the Volta Project. (TIde date would synchronise c()nveniently with the next development programme for the Gold Coast). (i) By 30th June, 1956, port of Tema. available on a ball Icale to aasilt the Volta Project if required (two ships). (j) Some time in 1957, preparation of housing for Torkere required for smelter project. (k) 1958 (depending on scientific research) start of work on the smelter and the building of new railway linee. First stage of Tema should be completed by this date, if all goes well (four ships). (1) 1961/1962, possible date of completion of power project and of ra.ilways and. 1me1ter. ~~<1 IL~(]A William E. Cole American Consul Department, please send copies to: !.ago I London llontreal L .. .o .. • . .uR ·,......;on ., ~ \ , DO NOT TYPE IN THIS SPACE - PlUORITr RESIIID .. ~ PRIORITY _ c ,{J~ CY(iIy ;;ltUsjft. . qtjo~n) FOREIGN SERVjCE · D:ESPA~,. C.H ~ FROM : .American Consulate General, Accra DESP. NO. TO September 21, TIlE DEPART~IENT OF STATE. WASHINGTON. DATE /He ,., I ~ .., ~ n 7~ -../ I :' -'].. 7-=- --' y./\ _ ~ REF ..t tI:o.:rT~h 171, June 29; Dept' 8 1.-8 ~st 7, 1953 '7/ ~~------. 3.- "'\ 15 ACTION. DEPT. For Dept. IlEA ~ REPOLIElIESSY / \ Use Only f-=RE"'"C""D -------i F OTH E R I ills SEP 25 0 FOA CIA / EmplDyment in the Gold Coast or Ifr. Hy1an Lewis. i \ - \ 0 4 " '~-_________I ;"o"" As Or 0\ possible interest to the Department, there is quoted below the text a letter of September 16, 1953, from Conmander R. G. A. JACKSON, head of the Volta River Preparatory CommiSSion, concerning :Mr. Lewis. . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -I am writing to let you know that the Preparatory CommiSSion, after co.nsulta- tion with the Gold. Coast Government am H.ll.G., has extended an invitation to lIr. Lewis of Atlanta Univerl5ity to come to this country and assist the Preparatory Commisdon with its work (in particuJ.ar the problems of labour and 8Ociological factors) for two or three months from the end of November, 1953. -We are .;,. . waiting to hear from Mr. Lewia whether he will be able to accept thia invitation. 00 ~ 1IJfr. Weeterfield haa been informed that it is felt that the .cale of w:>rk 01 inftlved with the original surveys could, at this stage, only justify the empl.ey- ;'\ meut of lIr. Lewis.- • I\) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • m ~ '-- UJ f'0 <: I'll ::x:: t- u (f) Z D,l.. !.J o 0.:: < 0: crc:o .;:r~ ~ "- lW t.n (J ·Xc,Jd.-.§> . P' :z d I ~ 1'/.'1-'" " ,F5tREIGN SERVI~Eh~E~PiA.T~ ;;,~, :ik't;~ L 3/;' ~ FROM American Consulate Gen~ral, Ac ~ Dl ,Fr1I1-/£) /IJI-.5 I'"W' (. J . ~7 . Conversation wi1;h Arthur E. MORGAN about Volta River Pr£'je"li',~, ~ i 7 .' (J -;E;: f"l The following summarizes comments made by Dr. Morgan, formerly~ I Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, during a conversat1on Inl , had with him on November 23. He is now in the Gold Coast to adNise~ 6010 on certain aspects of that project. (i.e. the VC1>lta River Pr~je1:t lo :. Dr. Morgan, one of the foremost authorities on hYdro-..xectric ,~.:. 7\ .. projects, believes the engineering firm of Sir William HALCiiOvVE is '~·r · ( doing a sound job in connection with the studies relating to the pro- ro ject. He added, however, that records concerning the flow of water incn the Volta, high water marks, etc., went back only some thirty y~ars or-" so. That is far too short a period upon which to base calculations as~ to the greatest possible volume of water which might develop at some ~ future time. Halcrowe had decided to use 2.5 times the greatest known-- volume of water in the Volta as the figure acceptable fer safety pur- -- poses in designing the dam, but Morgan preferred even more--he would I increase the figure to 3.0. He did not think silting a serious prob- ro lem, since the water does not carry a heavy volume of eroded soil. eN 01 Dr. Morgan thought that any contract between the Gold Coast tN Government and the aluminum companies should be the subject of very careful preliminary studies. While the latter were evidently consider- ing that they would require 90% of the electric output from the Volta, he believed it preferable that the Government should arrange to have some 40 per cent--rather than 10 per cent---available fer eventual use in the Gold Coast for purposes other than smelting bauxite. He thought such an electricity supply would be needed in the future for use in the southern part of the country. He said there would be a great need fdor some ~isiinteretstedi· tPafrtY. to retviewltlhe proposded condtract ~nldlren- c("'":; er an op~n on as 0 S a~rnesso a concerne, an espec~a y to the Gold Coast. He mentioned Danish or Swedish hydroelectric experts ~ as qualified for such a task. He thought it possible that such a -r, review and opinion would prove a safeguard tn case the contract should E: be attacked by future political demogogues in the Gold Coast seeking rr to capitalize on "anti-imperialist" sentiment o Dr. Morgan considered :2' it wise to avoid overly rigid provisions about rates of pa~ent for __ I electricity, since technical advances in the fields of atomic or sOl=r~ar energy might make present hydroelectric projects obsolete. -;3r,;.:.. ;.-. ;z; ,..,.. William E. Cole/,r~ . . . J~~CO~~P~~uJ.. ;; ~ c;; REPORTER ) )) ) ) ) J J , ..J J J -I -# .. ~ "'-, ~-. ~ ~ , A~r' 'TON ~OF;Y ; --,- ' DEPkR,1·r-I1}t. lr yll~J' l'.jJ'~t.i ~'7:!:-~F ; STATE u:; t:": .• r ,J.- J r ) II )).1 c.r! The action olllce must return this permanent record copy to DC/R files with an endorsement of action taken.-i---, · ttti,~- -------- CONFIDENTIAL End. No._ __ , '," , yC, laJJ;fical'IJ~) .,p • ' , ,, " • • O~~i" 1':10 ___ 1 .' • ~, lr 7""' ~_~. _______ : ~ ~ ~:~ ~ . , " ~ • "U~ _ , .. . . , ' , ~ ., . '.' , ~ \ feasi~~~ ~~~~:~s~:i~ ;~~;c;h~fV~i~~t~i~:I :~~~:~ti~i~~eiGol~ec~~;r. However, technical difficulties would make it ~practical to de l iver electricity from that source to distant parts of the country, such as the Northern Territories. Any distribution system which could be built would be too expensive to serve the needs of scattered communities. However, certain species of wood grew rapidly in the Gold Coast and could readily be converted into gas for use in in- ternal combustion engines. The latter could drive small generators. In that way villages remote from a main electrical supply could be provided with electricity for lighting and local indust~ies. He had recently seen such a system operating at one of the Gold mines and supplying all the electricity needed for mining operations. An area of several hundred acres there provided a constant source of fuel in adequate quantity for that operation. As present timber is cut off, it is replaced with Acacia, which grows rapidly and provides some 200 cords per acre in ten years. Dr. Morgan considered it important to avoid the congregation of increasing numbers of detribalized Africans in the large towns and viewed small-scale industries and village improvements as having a particular value in that respect. Dr. Morgan said that he has impressed upon Nkrumah, the Prime Mi nister, the necessity for retaining European technicians. He pointed out that it would take a very long time for the Gold -Coast to develop its own technicians in sufficient numbers to meet the foreseeable needs. Dr. Morgan is returning to the United States in a few days. He expects to proceed to the Gold Coast again about August, 1954. ~u~~~ William E. Cole Ame rican Consul Department Please send copies to Dakar, Lagos, London, Monrovia, Montreal. :;om~:~~~~~~J , , ,.. -, i 4.1 ., ~ ..... -, fool ' J . , J.J J J.J J J J) I , AIR PDUCJI . =---.:. Jij!:STRIC~ " riC; riOT Tn' I " ~R I RllY •• • ••• •• ( ,~'CCI"I/" CJllf ftflrorgan had questioned estimates as to the amount oS evaporation which would be experienced from the lake to be fo~d beh~~)~~ dam. He considered that 0 _ - - ., ~ existing data on this point were too scanty ~~permit a proper estimate to be mad.e~ He had especial doubts about the vOlume of evaporation which would take place at the north end of the lake, which would be shallow and located in the hot, dry area of the Northern Territpri~s.;:; ~e 'C'onnrlSsion is now. endeavoring to assemble additional information on this matter which may have beet;bdeveloped in other comparable parts of the mrld. • Dr. Morgan. also raised the .tfues~.on of the~ . l\ ql H., 21.'91f ~'-~ ~ ~ , ': _/ ~~Cole/r~ ..... l·. . · ~IiTEDe . • .J. .. c:o . ( g - )..- REPORTER . :-:-;-: :-----:-. • .. ::. ::. :: ~ v \ y };~T~(i)N ' CQl>y ·-": OOI'AR1'l\tF.N!r !QF: iiTATE m The acUon omce must return this permanent record copy to DC(R Illes with an endorsement or action taken. c:. 1-'a",r '" o[ E' n4c5l·. ~N-o- .. -_--_--_ - -------------Desp. No. 109 RESTRICTED " I ' From Accra •• •••• • • ( ~'lassi4c"lliJO rv" : ' @e!f" ,No._-_ : : :" 41 ~ "I "I" '"IFrO?rL.~' _________ • .... .. ... ..... • '"I. '"I .. "I ~ ~ ......... .. .. .. ............. '"I , '"I .... .,. '"1'"1 ~ed for clearing forest growth or "bush" from the area to be flooded. He . I I ~~~ught the presence of quantities of vegetation floating in or under the water I would deplete its oxygen supply and provide places where mosquitos would breed. (5) The consulting engineers, Sir William Halcrow and Partners, have now modified their earlier estimate of the labor force needed for the project. It will be recalled (my despatch No. 45 of September 16, 1953) that Halcrows had earlier been thinking in terms of some 15 to 20 thousand men, and that that figure had been questioned by Jackson, who had favored a much more highly mechan- ized approach with a correspondingly reduced labor force. Halcrows have reviewed the matter and are now basing their estimates on a total labor force of about five thousand. Having established the basic dimensions of the problem, it will soon be possible to begin studies of the feeding, housing, health and labor problems to be dealt with ~ The Connnission, the consulting engineers, and cer- tain departments of the Gold Coast Government, expect to be engaged in producing report s on t hese matters for consideration of the interested parties from DOW until about May, 1954. At that time, interest of Gold Coast personalities in t he Project will doubtless fall into abeyance, since it is expected that the el ections to the new representative Assembly will be in progress during May and June of that year. However, the techirlcians will continue to assemble data during the balance of the year for consideration by those concerned as soon as practicable. (6) By early 1955 Commander Jackson opined, all information needed to decide whether to proceed with the project should be available to the aluminum companies and to the Gold Coast and British Governments. In addition, the poli- tical situation should be somewhat clearer by then, when the Gold Coast should have campleted some six months under the new regime expected to begin with the institution of the further constitutional changes about June or July, 1954. It appears probable, then, that the final decision as to whether to embark upon the project could be taken toward the middle of 1955. Construction of the dam and all installations will take an estimated seven to 10 years, with seven years as the preferable figure, should it be found feasible after further study of the problem. Commander Jackson said that the earlier estimate of the "phasing" of the project (my despatch No. 44 of September 16, 1953) has now been revised somewhat and that he would send me a meIOOrandum giving the current estimates within the next few days. There is enclosed a copy of a press statement (Unclassified) prepared b,y Dr. Morgan in connection with a press conference he held on December 3, shortly before his departure from the Gold Coast which summarizes his views about the Volta Project. - rJ~ ~Qe /@ ' '--~Co!e .American Consul Enclo sure: Press statement. ~artment, Please send copies to: Dakar, Lagos, London, Monrovia, , > , j J, , , J L,n . · ~ .. • • • ,J , , . ,. ; ,0 ~i't~ID ; •• • ~r •• ••, • ~ •• ~ • • • ••• • • •• •• • ~:.~ P"l!ag~~ ____' or No. ___ --~--------_r====~~~~~=====~----~~.g======~ ----------~ Desp. From'--________ ... . UNCLASSIF1ED ~ . 'Encl. No.---,1--=-1-=O-=-9 ••• (passipcCl/ io41)· . .: • • : :. De~r· .No . : ~ ..... ........ . : .... Frcinc~;-------- PRESS STATEIVIENT BY DR. ARTHUR E. MORGAN FOR RELEASE AT PRESS CONFERSNCE ON THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER, 1953, AT 11 A. M. During several months past I have gone over the plans of the Volta River Project, as they were sent to ~e in America, as I sa. .l them in the London office, and in the consulting engineers' office in Accra. Also I have visited the site of the proposed dam by land, air and river in examining the proposed reservoir site ~~d the proposed route for hauling bauxite. I have endeavou- red to understand the health problems involved in the light of my previous experience in malaria control. My overall judgement is that the Volta River Project is feasible, and on the whole is well considered and vlell planned. The final working plans are not complete. It is almost certain t hat in the process of completing them it will be found that in some respects the estimated costs will be increased, and in other respects it will be reduced. I understand that no final decision as to whether to under take the Project will be made' until the Gold Coast has assumed the position of an independent nation, and can act on its own judgement. By that time the- final plans should be far enough along to enable the Gold Coast Government to make its own independent appraisal of the under- taking, and to reach its own conclusions as to whether to adopt the Project. There is a strong tendency on the part of the public in any country, when a prog~arnme of development has been adopted, to be impatient of delay, and to want to proceed at once. It is important that plans be thoroughly developed before construction is begun, and so it seems to be fortunate that studies and plans are now under way, so that there may be no unnecessary delay ,,,,hen the public may be calling for action. As I compare the possibilities of power development on the Volta with similar possibilities in other parts of the world, it seems that this may be an exceptionally low cost project for electric power. In earlier days, when the world level of prices was much lower, there were projects developed at a lower cost. However, under present world conditions I doubt whether many better opportunities for power development and for use of the power for aluminium production, .,can be found in any country. The immediate demand for aluminium production will fluc- tuate with changing economic conditions , but the widespread use of aluminiwn is steadily gr owing , and will continue to grow, I and so I think that it will supply a market for a large amount I ~f power. ----1 ~ J » ) .t • ~, , .J J .:I ~ JI , , .I .J.I • I •, , : : D'N C!,,'AS£'IET~D ~ ~ j • I , .-r--r-~r- -' J , I ... J .J .J I,) .I .J'.) J.J . .. Desp. No ___ UNCLASSIFIED Encl. No 1 From~ ________ _ ... . ... ~ :. !i)c7-' ,No. 1 09 . ·· Fr0r'L.:·~-------- I In some countries·,··as··i~"t~~ State of f.tiassachusetts in " America, and in the State of Travencore in India, the location of rivers and the lay of the land are such that it is possible to begin electrical development on a small scale with small, but economical, projects, and to add more power as the demand grows •. However, nature has not been favourable to the Gold Coast in that respect. It seems that you must either develop water power on a large scale, or not at all. Except possibly in the far north,as at BUi, it seems n0t to be feasible to develop power on the Volta except by a single large dam. That is a physical condition imposed by nature. (The only exception that I can see to this statement is a remote possibility that a limited amount of power might be developed by relatively small dams on the Bib River or the Tano River or the Ankobra River or the Pre River in the southwest part of the country. I believe it would be deSirable, as a matter of public policy, to have a brief, inexpensive examination made on each of these rivers to determine whether there are possible dam sites where a relatively small amount of power could be developed). For a project like that on the Volta River, the only chance for making it an economic SUCC8~S is that some large industries will use the greater part of the power . The pro- posed works would have a capacity of somewhere between 500,000 and 700,000 kilowatt hours of electric power. The total use of po\"ler in the Gold Coast at the present tiP1e, aside from the mines, is only about 15,000 kilowatts. Even if the use of power should double every five years, which is about twice the rate of the ",orld increase, it would take bet',veen fifteen and twenty years for the use to amount to a quarter of what the Volta Projec~ could produce. The T.V.A. project of power development was mad e economical- ly feasible by selling most of the power to large industries. Of the total power generat~d at T.V.A. plants, probably three quarters is sold to large industries, either directly or to large oities where industries are located, or to the Government atomic energy plant, which uses a very large amOQnt. Perhaps fifteen or twenty per cent more is sold to large cities for residential use, street lighting , commerci2.1 use, etc. Probably not more Ghan about five, or at most, ten per cent is needed to supply farm homes ~~d all to~ms and villages of less than 50,000 population, including such industries as mines, sawmills, cotton gins and small manufacturing industries; this in a highly I ~echanized country '{iherd electric power is used for a large ~mount of mechanical equipnent in homes and on farms, and even~ ... . ... ~:~4··~:·~'-d·t·A-~~$-i~~·I7t-p-':~:·· :': .~~...- --,--..- ~ .... . ...... . . Papr of Desp. No ___ Fro,"-'ID'--________ ~r house heating. These figures concerning the T. V. A. are f ro~ I ~~~ory, and are only approximately correct, but I believe they truly represent the actual conditions. In the progressive tiative State of Mysore in India, with about three times the population of the Gold Coast, after a forty year progra~me of electrification, with attention to rural electrification, the tot·al use in the country in 1950 was about 50,000 kilowatt hours, if my memory is correct. While, so far as I can see, the preparation of plans for the Volta River Project are sound and well handled, further studies are nece ssary before any final decision is reached on the Project. There are five matters on \-,Thich, it seems to me, fur- ther careful study is especially called for. First is that of the a'11ount of evaporation which will take place in the reservoir. Second is the problem of acquiring land in the reservoir and of insuring that those \-'Tho must move out are satisfactorily relocated. Third is the matter of insuring the health of the people around the reservoir, especi ally with reference to malaria and river blindness. When the T. V. A. ,.,ras organised a quarter of the people in that area had malaria. It has been so completely eliminated that during the three years of 1949, 1950 and 1951 (the last years on which I have reports) the regular inspectors fOlli~d not a single ' case of malaria, except three or four that were brought home from Korea. With proper preparation and administration somewhat similar results might be achieved here. Fourth is the matter of hauling bauxite from the mines to the plant. The more cheaply that can be done, the more income v/ill there be for everyone concerned. Fifth is the matter of clearing the reservoir for the purpose of naviga- tion and fisheries, as well as for mosquito control, I have dis- cussed these problems with the Preparatory CommiSSion, and find that they are already working on them. In my opinion a careful study should be made of housing for the workers on the dam, at the aluminium plant, and at the town of Tema. I hope it will be possible to build a number of small villages with suitable conveniences and with opportunity for gar- dens, the workmen to be carried from their villages to the places of work by bus or on their bicycles. This would re sult in much more wholesome and convenient living than the construction of a big, cro,.,ded town. If some of these villages are located bet'-Teen the dam and the proposed alQminiun plant, they could be oocupied by workers constructing the dam and aluminium plant, and then be occupied by \-yorkers in the aluminiwn plant. During my stay in the Gold Coast I have had several con- ferences with the Prime Iviinist er, and have talked with most of the Ministers, c'J1 d with t he ir staff s in the fields of health, I ~griculture , fisheries; forestry, railroad transportation, I ~teorology (on rainfall and evaporation), electricity, housing~ . .. ··.. . .. r . L~~~~~L-~L--L~ · •• • · , . '-i-_~~1.~:!:. .-'~:..,~.:S_~~.~",'.-7-!.~$~."'.-;:. ~~ . ;.: • Pae:c-t ____, ot rag"-"- =~== ------ Desp. No ___ UNCLASSIFIED J. -Encl. No.--=l=::--::::-=-_ From'--________ L-----"'-"~~""'l~ I.~~'=--"-- I.J" (( , assi,:catior;) . 'De,p: ,No. 109 - , °Frol:n-, - -------, I education and welfare hdth re'~:rence to 0~portw1ities for worke~ and their families), and have had a meeting with the Gold Coast National Committee. Also I have consulted frequently with Comman- der Jackson of the Volta Iii ver Preparatory Commission, and on several occasions with his associates on that Commission. Also I have talked over the situation on several occasions with His Excel- lency the Governor, Sir Charles Arden-Clarke. I have been very favourably impressed Irvith the energy and thoroughness "'lith which the Preparatory Commission has gone about its work, including such problems as those of health around the reservoir, the methods of compensating for land to be covered by the reservoi~, the housing of workers, and the effort to get economical results. It is fortunate that they can be "'lOrking on these and similar problems now, so that dependable information "\.Vill be available before the Gold Coast is called on to make any decision as to whether or not to underta.l;\~~os~ 1.0 years ago t~e possibility ~:rr;i~~O~~~b~~e ~~blr:~~c~~~ s~~~ of alurm.mum producltPn o~ the \ a'S a ncw port, ttitwa~. roads. and j IV ollil River. was ,firs~ coDr.ldered jtownsh.ipsat tbe dam site and port. ! I~ 0~938r:~ P6;1~~~:~lbys'lh~ta!~~ POWER FINANCING resulted in 194~ i,n fOfT!1arion, of West U.K. Responsibility ~~~i~~ jhC"~~D~d~ oC:w ~~~chanA~~= ~he U.K. G.o,":e,rnment will h~ve terest) to carry the scheme forward. major responsl~dllY for finanCing The two companies priDcipally in- the power prolect, ,but th~ Gold terested in the scheme are Britisb Coast Government Will contnbute at ~\ lAlummium and Aluminum of least £8::1. . Canada. . Deyelop.m~nt and opera hOD of An imporlant point in aluminium the ,alum~nlum, smelter and th.e I production is the heavy demand ,on b~':lxlte mmes Will be the re.spon~l· electric power which the extraction bJ1JlY of a company. the equity In processes make. Unless cheap power whic~ . would be J;lrovided by the i~ alread~ available in lart:e quan- al~mlr.lIua:n companies. except for a J lIties. an \ major new development ! mmonty In Gold Coast hands. nf aludl1fWum-orodueing capacity jn- LJt is.. bowevef. propos~~ tb~~ .!~e ... • . .. . .... .. · · • ... . • • .. ·· .. ·• ·.·. . ·• · ... . .•·• . ··• .... .-. . ~ . .. _ ~ r>' '";,. .. l ...~. )".t • • .• .4 . . ~ ~, • qo,) ,.' • , ~ 3 .• ~ . ..J «' i.::_·.:...·.:.. ,_._._ ___. . ___~ __ _ ~~_..a._.., '"_ ... 1_.t,.: .,., .. ... ~ •• ~ ... REARMAMENT ·NEEDS The spectacular growth in world production and consumption of aluminium is reviewed in tbe White Paper. While there was a substantial fall after the war, output by 1951 was well on the way again to tbe 1943 peak of 1,850.000 .... . •. . tons, and may exceed it in 19S2. ulJ:der sclCentlfic mv~stlgahon. but It This is attributed in part to rearm- will .be a 10nR hme, before CX?m- -~ .- .-, -,,- .. _. " - _. ament needs. but mainly to develop- mercla~ .dev,~lopment IS a )mlchcal ment of new uses for aluminium and proposItion. its use in substitution for other metals. COST OF SCHEME Whereas in the late 1920s and early Estimates of the cost of the scheme 19305 average total annual U.K. are:- cODsumption only slightly exceeded Capaci~ in tOftS 80,000 120.000 210,000 20,000 tons. in 1946 it was more than P:~, :::.. P~~?c 200.000 tons. and had grown to Work$. 1m. lm. lm. 316.000 tODS in 1951. Gold CoastGtwt . . . 26.0 26.0 26.0 The increase in defence .demand as The P01II'er Project a result of rearmament IS thought. U.K. Govt ........ 37.S 41.5 46.0 broadly speaking. to have been offset Gold Coast Govt. •. 8.0 8.0 8.0 by re.strictions on demand for other 4S.S 49.S 54.0 PUCfnosfu'ture supply prospects! the The Aluminium White Paper a5Sert~ that there . l~ no U.K. ~~.... . . 5.8 10.8 10.8 danger that expansion of aluminium Gold Coalt · Govt, i ~fo~h~~i:n~f~i~:s~~edn!':I:~:~ :s~~~~ .. ~: 2.3 2.8 5.3·10.6 '::'-.1. . - bauxite. Known world are reserves Ahmmuwn~ . ... . 20.9 25.4 47.9-42.6 I aTe about 1.500m. tons. or 350m, 29.0 39.0 64 0 \ t01\~e~i~ntp~Per records that To!.iJ ...... .. .. 101>.5 114.5 1. ...0 , 30.000 tons of aluminium a year is To be borne by:- ! produced by th~ British Aluminiut:J'l go~ OC:!st' 'GoVi: 43.3 52.3. 56.8 t Company. usmg hydro-electnc and private in. power from the Scottish H Further large"'"5~le productioignh liann ds. ~tors ....... . .. 36.3 ]6.8 39.3 ... • the AIWDJDium cos. '" 20.9 25.4 47.9-1 U.K. is not foreseen. Interesting Total • . , ••..• . . 100.5 114.5 144 ' \ possibilities of Dew _p.!ocesses are _ _ ~ . - ~ . •• • , • •• •• • ., '" ." ., .J •• •• •• • ·• ~J~ .. , ~ • ) •, J J .. ". ~ .. J • • •• ••• • • • • J AO • ' uu • .. .·• .. •• '~. - FROM ~ II. '15 7~5. ~2- TO .:..--t-->LIO ............ wu....JE,AT~ ' ) 9-54- . 7tf51(tJ:Z / REF fJl}tf/f,p#/ J..-IJ C;os-/ .LI,IlI D~N# / ;»1 ~/Y,Rd I/In - / PI., RIS -I I I~ '.5 / ACTI ON r DEPT. Jf * IX: ( For DepL ff. - ~,f£P-1 Pt!-,f-z.. CJ t.1-t £I/,f-S 1//(17-'1 ~ ?--/ WE- Uoe Only REC' D F OTHER I:Il ~, / II °e II) # 5 /7 -/~ c;.-5 d (J t1 -/~ I. #5 i:- SUBJECT: Meeting of Trans-Volta Togoland Council on December,12, (}953 ~ - r : - (/) As of possible interest to the Department there is quot~d be{~~ I the text of a memorandum prepared by Mr. Robert I. FLEMING, Vi fl ;:Ti Consul and Information Officer with the USIS, Accra, concern~ h~~ recent visit to British Togoland: ~ W", vi MEMORANDUM . ' ,\ 00 C. :.u ~ I nOn Thursday, December 10, ' 1953, I drove to Ho, administFative ~ center of British Togoland, accompanied by Mr. Robert RAYMO~, Press" Officer for the Volta River Project Preparatory Commission. The pur~ pose of our trip was to present an exhibition of photographs oT the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Volta River Project, sponsored (j) jointly by the United States Information Service and the V.R.P. ~ Preparatory Commission. In addition, the U.S.I.S. planned to show ~ films on the T.V.!. and related subjects on three successive nights." This exhibition was meant to coincide with the meeting in Ho of the ~ Trans-Volta and Togoland Council, and with the visit to the Council ! of the Prime Minister (Nkrumah) and the Minister of Commerce and ~ Industry (Gbedemah). ,Their purpose in appearing before the Council ~ was to explain the views of the Gold Coast Government with regard to;- the "intergration" of British Togoland with the Gold Coast; and also to attempt to clarify their stand on the Volta River Project, and, if possible, to reduce opposition to the scheme. nThe exhibition, judging from the remarks written in the visitors book by members of the T.-V. T. Council, was a great success. By dramatizing the possible benefits of a hydro-electric power scheme, the exhibition apparently clarified for many the various aspects of c- such a project, and it is obvious that it helped put to rest some of c: the fears~ suspicions which were prevalent in the area. We were ~ congratul d by both Mini.~~e:r~ .. .:.~d by the Chief Regional Officer, Mr. :; George SI CLAIR. All concerned expressed their appreciatioDr ,for the E' assistance which the exhibition and the films had rendered. HO\'1ever, r-,' it was not the exhip~~~op but rather the conversation at a dinner L- party held in the Residendy a~ ; Ho~hich has given rise to this report.~ L "The Prime Minister and Mr. Gbedemah were expected to arrive in J. 'Il [ :: GlVl r .",. William E. Cole/Dam ... . .1 ... GONEIDENTLA1 • ~ •••• / ~ ~ ~~ REPORTER ;! ~: ! : • : • • . . : : . :;. :: ACTION CO~Y .!...TmpARTMR~T Of s rl'ATE ~, .;J ~ ~ The action otnce must return this permanent record copy to DC/R flles wIth an endorsement or action taken(..Tl' . ~ ~ ~ ragl!-p ____ D~e sp_ No _,_ 12_1 : ' ~ From Accra .. L.. .~ ?~~i~~JAL .: ~ . : :~ :~~ ~~===== • • •• : : :. : .. ". : :;.:~ ro~w:>---------- •• ••• • .. .... ~ . . ... •• .'8 ,. IRO late Friday afternoon, December 11. The Sinclairs had Planne~~ Sherry Party for them to which leading members of the Trans-Volta and Togoland Council had been invited. They were late and arrived while the party was in progress. Afterward, they remained for supper, and Mr. Raymond and I, along with David Allen, the Assistant Regional Officer, were asked to remain as well. "The conversation throughout dinner and afterward centered around 'integration", the recent representation to the Truste~iP Committee of the United Nations, and the Volta River Project. I was especially struck by the fact that far from being the 'disint ested civil-servant', Mr. Sinclair was deeply involved in the pro-integra- tion tactics in Togoland. Since this coincides with the stand of the British delegation at the United Nations, I assume that Mr. Sinclair i~ acting officially, and that this is not simply a tangent of his own. ) It was obvious that they all had been annoyed by the decision (Resolutions?) of the U. N. Fourth Committee and by the position taken by the supposed friends of the Gold Coast, . Liberia and India" Mr. Sinclair stated and the Ministers concurred wft1rliifu- -that tli"e Gold Coast must never again permit the "separationists" (Antor and R.E.G. Armattoe) to enjoy a monopoly of representation. Next time, they all agr~e , a TGgoland official would be sent to support the Government's v· ' w. The man named as the most likely candi_date ' was Mr. B.C.B • .NJLT UGAH, who has spent tbiity years in the Govern- > ment Service in Togoland and who is himself an Ewe. "The Prime Minister gave Mr. Sinclair a copy of the speech which he planned to give before the T~.V. T. Council the next morning. We learned later that Mr. Sinclair had made a number of changes, \ bevause, as he stated, "The Prime Minister had missed a number of o.'! l points where he could crack down on his opponents." "On the Volta Ri~r Project, Mr. Sinclair agreed with the Ministers that the Un~ted Africa Company must not be allowed to maintain a transport monopoly on the Volta Lake, should the project be completed. The U.A.C. now has such monopoly control over the ferries which cross the Volta at four different points, and apparently African interests had feared that a lli.milar situation might prevail on the prospected Volta ~ake, , cut ting them out of what should be a highly lucrative business. Mr . Sinclair said that he had already advised certain Africans how they might go about setting up such a transport company. The men talked at length about the meeting which was to take place the next morning, and of the best way to approach the councillors so as to allay their fears and align them with the promoters of the Volta River Project. Mr. Gbedemah was advised to stick strictly to the prepared questions and answers which had been worked out by the Preparatory Commission, the Ministry of Develop- ment, and Mr. Sinclair, though it was agreed that he might answer 10an' y supplementary questions which might be put. About eleven clock the Ministers left to confer with their Party colleagues on I, the rest of their itinerary. ~ Desp. No.' 124 . I-L __C_ O--;N=F,-I---,-,DEe-N_T_I-,-_-AL _- :-, ;,nd. NN0'---From" Ace r.ljl .•• ..• *'. • ... ( ,.,, ·ft, ) • ~ L!!e5!>'.. 0. ___ ~asSl ~ht!On.l· " .... .. .. • ~ ") : : :. ... .• ... . .. .. f.II".. ~ .. .... .f'r01!iLl- "-~ -------~ I mOrni~~~· D:~:~~~~ ~~. ~h~i;~·:~: ~;i~~i~~~iicfi~~:a ~~r~~~o b;a~~~day I Chairman, the chief of Anfoega, the Prime Minister addressed the Council on his government's plans for developing the Trans-Volta- Togoland area. He made a number of appeals to their nationalist spirit and assured them that when the Gold Coast achieved its full independence, it would not leave its 'Togoland brothers' behind, but would attempt through 'integration' to afford them the same 1be nefits and freedoms which they were to enjoy. Mr. Gbedemah spoke on the Volta River Project; read the prepared questions and answers, and then answered a number of supplementary questions which were put to him from the floor. . - "At the conclusion of the meeting, everyone crossed the com- pound to inspect the T.V.A. - V.R.P. photographic exhibition. "It is quite evident that if an integration of British Togo- land with the Gold Coast does not take place, apart from other considerations, it will create a number of serious problems so far ·as the Volta River Project is concerned. Certainly,( the' separa- tionists' will do all in their pm'/er to enlarge on current fear~ and suspicions in an attempt to thwart the Convention Peoples' Party of Dr. Kwame Hkrumah. This could seriously complicate the political aspects of the scheme." There are also enclosed thry copies of a press release of December 14 which gives the ~ezt of the speech made by the Prime Minister (Nkrumah) -before the Trans-Volta Togoland Council on December 12. As may be observed, the speech outlines the use to 1be made of a sum of two million pounds for development in British lTogoland and constitutes a plea for "integration" of the Trust ITerritory into the Gold Coast. I American Consul 1 I / \ Enclosure: y 1. Press Release No. 1670/53 (3 copies). Department: Please send copies of despatch to: Dakar, Lagos, London, Monrovia, Paris. L \. \ .. .; .; : : · : ..C .W.F.i j)E.N l'Ii!i . ·· .... ,. .. . . ~ . . .. . ...... . ·· .... . . . ,* ,._ ." ,"',,' • ~ :J .' .~;1'!~· ~:~~. .' \~ /;"~:~i'~ ' J>'!"-::': .. !, -' ' . ' .-.a · ("·. .. .._• .. ... . .. .. . ... . .. -. ~~_'""1,"~:;;:4"!""£"f'!-_'II!_L"Q'II!;",,;.,,.,!<,,4g"; :1{?S.~3"-""''$-C. ... ~~~-.... .>~:' ~~~-;;.--:,,:..:&-~ ...... ::~'. ~...r..o:._'~ .,<,• •- -- "'f':'<' _,~ o • 'I .•' • • f ~ .. • ~ . ~• • ,-.••• ~.~ ~ .:- 1- -- . • • .• . . . .. . ~. ' • . ! 1- •• •l , under': U~lt€d Kin;dom "Tr'ustee~h~rp'" v;~ · ~~:~~ o;:~n~ed ' ~~r ' ~lversaJ:~ suffra~ ond voting by sGcret bollot. And we hove made it clear", thDt l'epr€se~totion in 01].. .Regions will be based upon the population ' Q~ tpOS€ R€Bl.ons. ' J. " " .", C , .. 1M ,;,' ,'". . , .' , \1,,' ) :1O;J J ,_ ... .. ... ' ~ ~t.J .. ,' ,.. c These propos s Is i'ri re ga rd to 'elections hove been acccfltedf by tbe . Uni ted Kinp,(l.om Govern,!lent Dnd er.:bodied in 0 nG)'V 'OrdinDnce _ ~ posned Dnd _D8c entGd to before the Unit ed l~Dtj,ons CDr-:6 te Dpprove - i ts R~soJ.ution • .~ r. 1It>, of). J~', ,,40, :n· ~,,~ r$.~' rr'~" ,-"'~ ~ ';" j' " _" ~'\t. t "l~. ~. ...... _'>:if;!<;i~ .. 1 ~ .t"'-=:"''':~~.''-.';''4' .')I~\ .. ,~.tr/ ... .:. 'Ei~":~'" . ~_ ThEl',e hove recently bGen mony ot t empts to conf'use the ...... . p60ple of' this regj,on Dod the Unitw ,. Notl.ons obout the policy of the Gold CO :;f, t G9vGrn",ent towords ' Togolood ur.c1er , United KinGdom TrusteG- ship. Ow: s ttitudG h,:,s b <:en mDde clear to you' ,,11 Cln d \i'e hove ' , '" bGe.n very o!>e() ~ w i th you," , ~J-" , ~. ' ~," ~':f II'':'.~,. ~ " .. ,... . ' "';.' ,~ '\, -.,;' 1..':;- "'-:-, _ ~ ,. . ' '-, .... -, "~' ~ ~ I' '~.JIo't... . to' '.''... :7 ~_;\ .... l ~,.':t,tr :/tf.:..· Let- me reDd .. hot :is said in the WI".ite Popel' 00 the_" ,- :"''J c~stitution: ~.~ ,\'. ' """,,, ': '. :;.'; ~" . ~~:,.._ ~i"~ .~.,~'";~ ~~. ... ,. 1f~- ......., .. .. a(., I~~~-t..t"t '~"i to - l" ~:"",-,,'.t"'" -:.- ,~ . . - ;~- 1~Th€ Gov'er'1ment ,' t okes this.-o]?p'o~'tunitrY of .defidi(Jg- its ''''': ' -:;. o,ttitude, to the To goland ~roblr:m ~ '. . ' The i.~orth·ern Terri.- .,.: . tories Council hos expr-e!Jsed Gl'ove ccnc<:rn retSDI'ding the;' :r,l1tw:.€ of the Northern 13ect ion of T0801o nd 'u6dcr ' Ul'li t€d ... j.~ ' Kin:sdoi'n Trust €eshipj'" i'0U!' , 0'1' thG most i l!lPor tQnt Northern' Territori eS Stot €S extend into Togoland, Dnd the PD!'O- ~ <-('" mount Chi'.:fs and 'people ''Dre not PI' epo red t c Se e ·them -~" .~-. ' dismembered by an international . bounwl.;:'Y. ' They' therdort ,. insis.t- toot' a G.eclsion ' on thE> fut\.rr-., c:t.'< t1iE' l~br th ern ,~,~~~''1 'Sectl;on '{)f' To~olond should be' t aken before a ny further; }.~,,,, major- advance' is mad~ tonords sel,f'-gove rn.,, ('nt. ~ ,The ;'" {''t, a. Prime ·Mimster ·. hos ossured the Northern , Terr i tories Couilcil ~: that., ' while' t he timto hog not 'come for foim8 1 ,'proposols " :De' PI' es eoted to -the Uni t.€u Notions' for th~' omendm€nt ,' .;. the Trust13eship '1\sre6r:1en'L~; ! thi;- 'Government--{)f -th'€ Gold ' Coost is .confid·ent thc-1;, 'iftJen the time c'omes', 'the ' Uni ted' ~ ,Nations Or gD ois1J tion wil l oot ,foil to give si. ti sfoction ~';.., _ tG ,the ,fI'eQu.ently r eit€r-E. tGG. Dnd unon'i mo us demo nd of thf '" D€ol)le of the lior-thErn Section f or their area to become , ' part· of - taG ."forth(dn ·TeX'I' it-ori-es "of the G01d Coost. :O F.;~ Indeed i'0l' the. Urri t.::(1'-1'1o t ioils Or~()nis " b_on te> do , other ... .." wi.s€.' .!ould, it i 'S considerea." " Je ' contr & ri' t~i , thG bas ic bj1'ctl ves--set' out ' }n i.,he_ l1ni ti'd Notion£' Chortu. The' -, Chiefs " i~' ~''¢lr~:'f.;;':'''::1' '-~ =~, <;>.:"':" Th.or.€ 1S a gr owing opinion in South er-n Togolond- ~. in ,f:Dvour of iote8rD tl'on wU ;h, t'!1c Gold -Z:;01Jst oildi t , is hoped ,:,.thDt, whM, tn.i' · bnV[h1t ag0s of' joinirl,g a ',.sEl~-gov ni!1.i,diold, CO D,st -3re , fullj --oppr€ cioted by tpe 1?eop:J.€'-ui' :., . tb.tt ar,eD,. theY' wn.i b_e in ,-$' pOSition tb 'mok,6 cle'i:. r their . wishes_ foI'_ their futw:'G_stotus".- ~ ... -.•' '; ,ilt:. • 'c,?- - ....;,,,t - - :.~ '" -~ ... ~I·~~(j~~~r;~lc-.&;-'d,.~.~:... . ~:t Ei.; _~'_;-' '_~~';~,,~~v~ :~ "-, ,;~~,_, _{ :--:~~ :-:;..: ~~f~"~' bD'l€ ·· given many assw:onc€sthDt 'we wllnt. the ordiilDry "'~;_ in Britisb Togo lDnd to d.ecioe in .:;. d€TiJocrotic ma .. n'er whether they' .,ont' to be , with the Gold Coos t when very shortly - we achieve' ,.:: full self-.:;overtlment; ';..,.;',[. ,-. .:' .' , ",,' _ . ., • ~ ~. flg ~ :_"{f:: ;:;: ~'~~"~"Y; ~~-;, "~~. .: '::'. i'J~;;-i-:"'i!";; .., ;.:::;... _~., J. "~_0;:1-f -,!., , . ·):t ;j-:.-' :0. '"~ '"--r ,-t~" _ •. ,-!! :',. ~J' :.,:t1.'~ , • .i;-' '';;' _:r'he whole of the Northern Section on". the Buem KrQcli1~··,"{l , .- DreD hove olreody doOlDnded on mony ,occDsions -to .be Dllo\ied to become !,lort of the Gold Co os t.- Mall"' othErs , in all -parts of thE- Southern Section, h.Jve ' mad& &im'iior I' eCiu<:;sts. W€ h€li€ve th..,t ' whe~1 the . ffiDSS of., thepeopl'e hove OOd 0 t'ull op:;ortu.nity of seeinS l1here th'eir interosts' lie, .they wi:1,1 d€IlWnd,. in on unmi s t Dkabl e bnd dG!i;ocr Dtle", mooneI', thot t.):Ley sholl be ollo lI €d to ' j oin the Go ld Const in the , ~ ot-tnitl!!lent of .sel!-r,over nrr.en t. ~ ~ , - r" We hnve now Deen , tog t~"her f~~ ~ 0 v Gr ;,' long ti.m .e" ,nGorly ~_ ,.. ~R~ \ .. ~ )~ .j" .i ~ • .01"; ~' ~ ." ~. . ,; i,J .,~ ) .4 ' .•• j " bDs our . "'''',LLL unj,on - of mod€I'n 10c1)1 ~ovEr-nm cedures' Dnd"OUI' cherished ' instit utions. ' When.ever- the c th€~ separation.i·sts h:~, I )1;'.'vE s polu:n p1.oinly.- Thi,s is ,<) r.:Iotter for OUI'.6Elv Gs' ~i? to se·;;tlc h,orG , by democratic ,.,c thods. , WG ' don 't wc.nt it s ettfed for' us b~; otb"rs. .Tl11.lt h~, €:, h<:'1:'pE neCi. too' often when the .fote : ,of Afri'c c n :,ooplcs h GB bEen a t stGkG. ' Thos6 c1GYs ' ~:. rG finishGd ' fOr us heT6 in \'Vest Africo~ " WC ' b0Heve th&t the United Notions will ~<;s~.:ct yo'ur ri ,1ht to seJ.! d EtHminGtion if your. '{ish cs '··~,. <::.r. G (',odo -]11 <:.in bGybnd CI.oubt. ' , ~ - ~ '" ~ ... : -. ;,':,.~-~~.. "-.. . -'-.. ,"""'"> ' -, '" --.' '" • "i -:t-J, 't ,...!, "\ :- ;.- 'r~, ." ~"',' ~- 'tt)~·. _ )0 ••• ...' - ";, -. r ... ~. . -.Po'· ~ This ~es the' i~pli~~ ti o n~o~ its r-ejection only th~~ w[ek ' of .. v Resolution,. the ~fGct of whicll _hou.ld h,W6 , b e en to deny ,r tOl: rl t;ht of -the !,€O:>lG of ,To goh, nd under- United KingG.om . _ Tr~lst;:cshi ::> to.~ crOOSG . "~ th ;;/l?f;l ·the::, , ,iO ~d "ss()ci ot,e,2 h.:;l'\. the timG. c[,mC ' :;: or thou cO De _1.nden end ant. '~ - .:,' 'ib u ' I .~~.i\'¢' ~~(l:~ ':;i~;j~~t·!;.1\ ft,:k;!~i'·~~~;I':\~. i't,"~;;j "J~~~~l; '''~'~~': '1;-~' ~:(~\..-;;~. We'" the Gold C.ovst Governfi!cnt, are 'Pr' ~'Pcr ,~ d to" Bbids decision of' - tp.e ;llQ jo:::i t"y of the in Brl. tish-, -Terr'itory nd 'viC-. .ho1?e~ wc ' . wi - day of in DO NOT TYPE IN THIS SPACE AIR POUCH PRIORITY FOREIGN FROM I1e American Consulat e TO T UE DEPAllTlI1ENT OF S TAT E . WA S IlIN CERP, November 14, REF December 14 19 • For~Zl. /;;hJ~ ~ie-L. Use Only REC D F OT"H' ""R~---=---=--=---L---==--=-:::..-'-.=--'- I II 0 _ f.{ rolf-Ie. I/t/-~- ..-'1._ -r- /I \ \ ' -I - -~ n c . SUBJECT : Timing of Volta River Projecto /~JI-?0, . " g-~ ~~ ~ ~ ;: C'" I ; , \: .~ c+ ::0 L l e~ 0- /01 P "If''))-rr-~ .J \. .} -.i.>-Ul '1 ~ Supplementing my despatch No. 109 of December 14, 1953:1in~~~e~ ! "Interview with Head of Volta River Preparatory Commission" there~s ~ set forth below a "tentative timetable for the Volta River P~jec~ ; as given me by Commander Robert G. A. JACKSON on December 30. As may be observed this timetable modifies to some extent that contained in ru my despatch No. 44 of September 16, 1953, in that completion of the ~ project would appear to take about two years longer (until 1964) than estimated earlier. Commander Jackson has pointed out that the dates /cn\ given should be considered as applicable for planning purposes only • and that they represent the best estimates whi ch are possible Qn the f\J information available at this time. : rn ";"I ..... ~ 1.) .Decision on tenders received for Port of Tema about mid-1954 2.) Construction of Tema to start by about Sept. 1954 3.) Preparatory Commission to conclude initial studies of technical and economic aspects of the scheme : late 1954 Intergovernmental and aluminium com- panies to discuss Preparatory Commis- sion's report and decide whether" tenders for the main project should end 1954 or be invited early 1955 5.) Tenders for the main Volta Project to be received by about Sept. 1955 6.) Preparatory Cofumissfon ', t -q,r have com- pleted its work (draft of· V. R.A. st~tute) Master-Agreement, etc.) about Sept. 1~5 on" ~~~d~~~ 'I" ~ I. shortly after~:;) Sept. 1955 ('0 f"- :yC. ., ... \. ... \.0 - 'l Cole/ram . " " ). GOM.FTDENTJ.AL . ' " " .,... r .... ------;;R-;:-;EP~OR;;:;:T;o;;ER;----7.--!. ---:!--,: - ;--; -.... :----:---;~~t__;_ " ACTiON ~~-'COpy')~ DZPAR'tt:UZNT': OF: STATE O~ The action oroce must return this permanent record copy to DC/R Illes with an endorsement of action taken. IS.) "Year of Grace" in which preliminary work would be carried out (e.g. hous- ing, medical services, access-roads, etc. end 1956 "' 9. ) Dam construction begins 1957 10.) One berth in Port of Tema available early 1957 11. ) New railways from Aya to Kumasi and Koforidua to Kpong (if this method of transporting bauxite is decided about 1958 or upon) to start 1959 12.) Second berth at Tema available about 1959 13. ) Construction of Alumina factory and Smelter to commence 1960 or (Also development of deposits) 1961 Construction of Dam and Power Project completed 1963 (construction of railways and Alumina factory and Smelter to be synchronized with this date). 15.) First power available towards end 1964 Commander Jackson also left with me a very tentative analysis of the labor force needed for construction of Tema Harbor, of the dam and power project, development of the bauxite mines, and for construction of the alumina factory and smelter. A copy is enclosed. ~(;'~ American Consul Enclosure: Copy of estimate of labor force required for main elements of Volta River Project. Department please send copies to: Dakar, Lagos, London, Monrovia, Montreal 0 L I " Desp. N,, __ I CONFIDENTIAL Encl. No 1 &~~------- :.. : . . . ' .{Cjassi~i11!f'nJ ,>.,.. " >, ~ Desp_ ~o 127 • • .' • , , > • Y " Frocl.-)~: AU u;c;.cc~raicl.------ • • -"\ - ;) ~ I"t .. .. GS;IMATED LABOUR FO~C~ -~~~I:D' ~O~ M~IN' ~LE!~NTS OF VOLTA PRO~CJ . (R~i1ways excluded) lill. ~ lli1 ~ PORT OF 'rEMA Overseas 65 95 95 70 Local ill2. llt2i ltQQ2. 1480 TOTAL 1550 3550 4100 1550 DAM AND POViER PROJECT Overseas 24 181 195 209 245 Local 1125 2g42 2012 3~08 TOTAL 1149 2 23 ~~~§ 3221 3 53 TOTAL Overseas 65 119 276 265 209 245 Local ill2.. 013Q MAl ~213 3012 3@08 TOTAL 1550 4099 C723 I;478 3221 3 53 12.§l DAM AND POvlER PROJECT Overseas 270 174 Loc~l TOTAL i~~~ l1!t2. 1919 BAUXITE MINES 10 Overseas 100 30 50 50 Loc~l 110 ~ TOTAL 355 tag ~gg ALUMINA FACTORY AND SMELTER Overseas 100 350 540 860 Local 1000 3fOO 5300 84g0 TOTAL IlOO 4 50 5840 92 ° TOTAL Overseas 380 634 910 Local ~ ~~~t .a25Q TOTAL 3438 98bO L 'O,)HFIDEl-iT I At. : :t· :" . .~ --~~--~.~.~..7.. ;~:· :: ~ .. ...... . , .· , ,> 0 4 > , , ~ . , . • , . , . , ·, , ~ , • 0 , · ~ • » ' ~ . ... .. . , • ·, ~ , , • • • · 0, , • ~ > , ,~ ~. • .. -~ " Q ro;>1:7 refer to Dcar 1::1's. C:J~er: Reference is :r-..ade to nrevious cOrT~5:)or.de::.ce conc€'rI".:UJ.s t '::.e visit of ":1'. ::. C. l!c:.lke1' of the- G::>ld Co~_st to 1:.:18 Tnit.ed St.:ltcr;. I a:a in receipt of a letter from ¥.r. \'Jillia1i E. Hiatt, Chief, f!y-drolo ;:;ic Sertices Di vision, 1.':!it.ed States Weat:ler Bureau, statbp; that he would be glad to meet with I1'.r;; Walker on i-:onday August 9 at mOl 9:00 2..:11., ED'l'., in reOl!! 310 of the !"..ain fuildirv.1 of t1\e weather bureau ~-. at 24th and M Streets, r. W., \o;,;"shington, D.C. 01- I:!r.Rtatt adds that althouGh t ::Je HydroloGic Services Division, ?'~ whi ch c.~L:.ll3 r:lt~ t~..e cYc,oratton ~nblems in which Vu • ~'lQlker is f\) OJ interestzQ,) is locat~.d at S'J..itla."ld, Kliryland, he believes it best that m 7\ Nr. l:alker first meet ~dth him at t.~e main office of the \;eather Bureau. F 0{ Arrstl{;e:::ents for continuation of the conversations at Suitland will be ~~ I made at t~t t:i.:me. "i ~ . Sincerely Y'Ours~ I 1\- f\) -. 01 01 ". . ~ Jehn E. Utter Director O!'fice of African 1_ffa1rs Mrs. Peggy Cooper, i:ritish IDOaSSY, o )1.00 Has::achusett s AveIUle", Cf) :ashi~ton, D.C. ,- ------", "- ( T ... . - 1,.1 ... ,,"' ,. • 'I .~:, ~l~ ~~~, • ;.1 , : UNITED ~A~~ LlAP),RTt.H:r'rr-' c"\F,~ C::O '.\1ME- ' R.~F. -.jot::1J-S ~Q 0::1 WEATHER BUREAU -':: .:............. ., c-+ n to WASHINGTON JI '1 II) ~ CHIEF OF BUREAU AND R E,a::R TO 0-6 Mr. John E. Utter, Director Office of Atrican Affairs Department of State Washington 25, D. C. Reference: Your letter dated July 19, 1954, J'ile AP. Dear Mr. utter: . - Although our Division, which deals vith 'the evaporation problems in 1\)- which Mr. Walker is primarily interested, is located at Suitland, Md., I believe it best that I meet Mr. Walker on Monday morning, August 9, m~ "FEe; at the main Weather ~ureau office at 24th md M Streets, H. W. I vould suggest that Mr. Walker come to Room 310 in the Main :8uilding ~~ at the above address, and I vil1 plan to meet him there at 9:00 a.m. \'~~ .... EDT. Arrangements for continuation of our talks at Suitland vill be ~ ... made at that time. I\) t (' .-1\ 01- (JZ~~ ~C ~ / William E. Hiatt, Chief Hydrologic Services Division , ... ~ , " , ; , C/) '~" "- , , ,, , , "- ,, , , -. 100 , , , , 0, , ~, , , ) , , , " - , , , , ) ) , ) i I ) " SUBJECT : Visit to United States of Head of Volta River Preparatory COmmlr'SSion ~a ~/~1/1 -9 .cl tI t..; k. ?- .j U 1 .../ TO: Consulate General, ACCRA . . ... 'do Reference is -made to the Consulate General's despatch no. 130 =:; a ~ of January ~, 1954& ; i:a::! f The Department assUmes that Corriinander Jackson -,dll 00- making - (X) f his own arrangements with the International Bank for Reconstruction ~ ~ ana - Development~ In so -far as -concerns the -arrangement -or- - 01 ~ appointments ~li tn: the U; ' S ~ -Government -agencies mentioned in- the i'\ r despatch under reference, the Department has initiated- iriquiries • t in -tne -matter and ,.;ill keep the Consulate General informed of (\) developments 0 0) < ~ ---- -- MeariWliiie, ft has been su.ggestea ' 1:)ythe -United States-PUbl~" " Hearth Service tha-f, it -woUld -be helpl\il- ir- you could -obtciin fro~ _' -.l. CoimiJander' JacKson '8. sUmniary-of the areas -orhealtli and -relatea -' ' -- .: ~ .- housing problems he wishes to discuss with officials of that service. , I <.0 ' ..... ..... 01 -' Smith (Acting) .. • .... ~...q'..".. ". -I- \.~."l ~~ .. ~: - " ~ -......- .:. ;~\''''']'-'. . -'::~ ~~. I . f_ " . f . -i , L2t ", I ~,., - ----- '--"~ J (''"'' __ ____ 1 , j / .' ~> ••• ------- f • --.~~- ~S/S .. CR ...- I_ JAN 21 1954 AM. . UNCLASSIFIED (Serlin'}' Classification) Di',A~ED s--