Discuss the social and political developments that took place in the Gold Coast to 1957.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the social and political developments in the Gold Coast up to 1957. Candidates may discuss how, by 1948, resistance to colonial rule had begun. The foundation of the UGCC and the CPP, the Accra riots and the emergence of Kwame Nkrumah were important political developments leading to independence. Discussion can also be made of the developments in the education system that led to the establishment of institutions such as Achimota College in 1927. Further developments in education led to the emergence of an African professional class of doctors, lawyers and civil servants as well as a successful commercial class. These individuals became the basis for the movement to independence. Candidates should limit their discussion to the period up to 1957.

This question on social and political developments in the Gold Coast to 1957 produced some very strong responses showing knowledge of both aspects of the question. Some candidates tended to focus only on the political and therefore were not able to achieve a strong result.