Emergent Commonwealth — II. Some of the more Prominent New Members

Abstract

Though Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, was preceded into self-government by India, Pakistan and Ceylon, its emergence to dominion status was at least equally important as a landmark. India, Pakistan and Ceylon had long possessed a large measure of self-government; but the grant of full self-rule to Ghana in March 1957 opened the flood-gates to a whole host of much more backward colonies. Like Nigeria, her near neighbour, which followed closely behind, Ghana also forms a test case for British policy. As its inhabitants, living in their primitive tribal state only fifty years ago, have now been exercising most of the powers of self-government for some years, it provides some evidence on whether Britain’s abdication of power has been premature.