GOLD COAST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GOLD COAST 125.115H/1-2351 Memorandum by the Director of the Office of African Affairs (Bourgerie) to the Executive Director of the Bureau of Near Hast- ern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Jago)* CONFIDENTIAL [Wasurneron,] January 23, 1951. Subject: Proposal to raise the status of the Consulate at Acera, Gold Coast, to that of Consulate General. Referring to NEA’s memorandum of November 29, 19507 on the above subject, it is strongly urged that reconsideration be given the matter in the light of the information contained in despatch No. 130 of November 16 from Lagos? and despatch No. 142 of November 25 from Accra. There is additional evidence which supports a recon- sideration of AF’s proposal, and this will be made available upon request. It will be noted that these despatches, which were received in the Department subsequent to the date of your memorandum, pre- sent several reasons in support of AF’s proposal to raise the status of the Consulate at Accra to that of a Consulate General. Among the Teasons given are enhancement of the prestige of the United States, strengthened relations with Gold Coast officials, and strategic im- portance of the territory to the United States. It will be noted also that France considers the territory of sufficient importance to main- tain a Consulate General at Accra. } Drafted by Sims and Durnan (NBA/AF). * In despatch 128, August 30, 1850, from Lagos, Nigeria, Consul General Willard Quincy Stanton suggested that the Department of State consider the advisability of elevating the status of the office at Accra, Gold Coast, to that of Consulate General. (125.115H/8-3050) In response to a request from the Department for comments on the proposal, the Embassy in London indicated general support for the measure (despatch 2191, November 8, 1950, from London : 125.115H/11-850), Consul General Stanton reaffirmed his views on the need for a consulate general at Accra (despatch 180, November 16, 1950, from Lagos : 125.115H/11-1650), and Consul Hyman Bloom in Accra confirmed the need and advantages cf elevating the Consulate (despatch 142, November 25, 1950, from Accra : 125,115H/11-2550). ‘The memorandum of November 29, 1950, under reference here has not been found. It apparently contained a rejection of a proposal for the elevation of the Consul- ate at Accra made in a memorandum of October 10, 1950, from Cyr (AF) to Jago (NBA). (125.115H/10-1050) * Not printed, but see footnote 2, above. 1266GOLD coAST 1267 In reconsideration of the proposal to raise the rank of our Office at Accra, we should like to make the following comments on the en- closure to NEA’s memorandum: The conclusion reached that the present is not a propitious time for raising the status of the Consulate is apparently based on the premise that the Gold Coast is less advanced economically and politi- cally than Nigeria. This, of course, is not the case. It is difficult to make a comparison of the natural wealth or the potentialities of the two territories. No complete survey of the re- sources of either area has ever been made, and development schemes which are underway will quite likely change the entire economy of the two territories in the course of the next few years. We do know, how- ever, that the Gold Coast presently enjoys a per capita income far in excess of that of Nigeria, despite its smaller area and population. Strategically, the Gold Coast is very important to the United States, both as a potential military base and as a source of supply for strategic materials. During the last war, the United States Army Forces main- tained a base in the Gold Coast which served as a key link in the only air-route connecting the West with the Middle East. Headquarters were also maintained at Accra by The Central West African Office of the Foreign Economic Administration and the West African Office of Strategic Services. The Gold Coast may play an equally, if not more important, part, should there be another outbreak of war in Europe. ‘We should like to emphasize again that since the last war, Accra has come to be regarded by the British as the administrative center of the four British West African colonies. It now serves as the head- quarters of the British Commander-in-Chief (with rank of Major General) of West Africa, the Chief Secretary of the British West African Council, the British West African Court of Appeals, British Intelligence, and the British West African Currency Board. The Gold Coast is also becoming more and more important as the meeting place for various national and international bodies. In recent months, for example, Accra has witnessed a Conference of Directors of Medi- cal Services and an International Conference on West African Edu- cation (the latter attended by delegates from British and French territories and from Liberia). Next month, the Eucharistic Congress, at which it is estimated 30,000 Catholics from all parts of the world will attend, will mect at Kumasi. The most important single reason why we should alter the rank of our representative at Accra is political. The Gold Coast is, and always has been, more advanced constitutionally than Nigeria. Its present constitutional status in British Arica, is, in fact, second only to that of Southern Rhodesia, a territory which enjoys a political status mid- way between a self-governing colony and a dominion. The new Gold1268 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1951, VOLUME V Coast constitution of January 1, 1951, advances the territory’ to the last rung of the ladder of self-government by establishing a min- isterial system in which all but three of eleven ministers comprising the Executive Council will be Africans. The constitutional progress made in the Gold Coast in the recent years has been phenomenal, and is, in fact, a cause of envy and dissatisfaction among many of the leading Nationalists of Nigeria. It is incorrect to say that Nigeria enjoys by tradition and precedence a preferred position for eventual self-government. No one can predict, of course, when full self- government will materialize in either the Gold Coast or Nigeria. There seems little reason to doubt, however, that the Gold Coast will achieve self-government before Nigeria, and that it will be in the not-too-distant future. The increasing awareness by the Gold Coast peoples of the difference between their social, economic and political status as compared with that of the rest of the world is one of our major problems and one which challenges our very best talent, provided we intend to keep these peoples on our side, Today, the free nations are working to imbue the world with democratic ideals, and so long as the United States sup- ports this policy we cannot help but encourage the desire of peoples under political domination or control to fashion their own destiny. Because the United States, as a member of the modern democratic world, does welcome stable independent governments for all peoples, it is committed to help in reducing the political dependence of other peoples and raising their social and economic standards to a level com- mensurate with their own efforts and resources. This calls for a great effort in assisting, in any way we can, the people of the Gold Coast along the road to solid social and economic development in order that we can be assured that they will be aligned with the Western world, To do this, abundant understanding and sympathy on the part of our official representative abroad are required. AF does not believe that United States objectives as aforementioned can be accomplished in the Gold Coast by inadequate representation. At this juncture in the development of the Gold Coast, we should maintain, as 2 minimum, a Consul General of proven ability to carry out the important task of building United States confidence with the new political leaders who are emerging daily in this territory. Also, our representative must. win the respect of the local British leaders, and induce them to discuss problems of mutual interest and make available to our government political and economic information on this important region. Until we elevate our Office in Accra to the rank commensurate with the political advancement being made in that territory and compatible with the level of high caliber British officialdom now administeringGOLD CoasT 1269 the territory, the Department will not obtain the cooperation necessary to build and secure the economic and political position it needs in this important area of the world.‘ “The proposal set forth in this memorandum was apparently not accepted by the Bureau of Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs, and the Consulate in Accra was not elevated during 1951. 945K.541/2-551 : Airgram The Secretary of State to the Consulate at Accra* RESTRICTED Wasarneron, February 20, 1951. A-30. Reference Consulate’s despatch No. 206, February 5, 1951.” ECA London has evaluated a preliminary list of projects submitted by the Colonial Office as illustrative of the types for which assistance is desired. The list included the following two Gold Coast projects: (1) A request for $7,000,000 ECA assistance for the building of roads and a new port and (2) an application for $3,000,000 for building a railroad extension from Awaso in the direction of Berekum. ECA London has given top priority to the first project but indicated that support would be contingent very largely on whether the pro- posed new aluminum industry is established on the Volta River. ECA considers that the second project falls into a lower priority group for which information will have to be developed in greater detail by the Colonial Office before a final determination can be made.* In order to allocate funds remaining in the Overseas Development Pool, ECA would be receptive to projects falling within the limits of the criteria established for the Overseas Territories. The Colonial Office is the required channel for the submission of such projects, which must be fully documented to qualify for favorable considera- tion. AcHESON * This airgram, which was repeated to the Consulate General at Lagos, Nigeria, was drafted by J. W. McBride (NEA/AF), was cleared by ECA, and was signed by Bourgerie (NEA/AF). * Not printed. * Airgram A-34, March 5, to Accra, reported that the British Colonial Office had decided not to include the §7 million item for roads and a new harbor in the list of projects for priority consideration in view of the unsettled political situa- tion in the Gold Coast. The latest listing of ECA projects on which the Colonial Office agreed included $3 million for enlargement of the Takoradi harbor and $1.1 million for improvement of the Achiasi-Newasan railroad. (945K.541/3-531) Editorial Note Kwame Nkrumah, Leader of Government Business of the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly (Prime Minister), visited Washington1270 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1951, VOLUME V unofiicially on June 7 and 8 at the invitation of Assistant Secretary of State McGhee. The proposal to invite Nkrumah to Washington was set forth in a memorandum of April 18 from Bourgerie to McGhee: “Nkrumah (see attached biography *), who occupies a position sim- ilar to Prime Minister in the newly-constituted Government of the Gold Coast, plans to visit the United States to deliver the Commence- ment Address at Lincoln University on June 5, 1951. “Nkrumah is the leader of the Nationalist Movement in the Gold Coast, and to the complete surprise of the British, his political party, the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), won the recent general election. The British regard this election as the ‘most daring political experi- ment yet carried out in Africa . . .’ Immediately after the elections the Secretary of State of the Colonies released the following state- ment, ‘It lies with Africans themselves to prove their capacity for self-government, and it is by their performance above everything else that the future course of advancement towards full self-government will be determined, not only in the Gold Coast but elsewhere in Africa’, “In view of Nkrumah’s position as the new national political leader in the Gold Coast, AF believes it would be desirable to accord him some form of recognition during his unofficial visit to the United States and suggests that you act as host at an official Inncheon in his honor at Prosnect House on Friday, June 8, 1951.” (McGhee Files: Lot 53 D 468 : File—“Africa”) A formal invitation was suksequently extended to Nkrumah who ac- cepted and arrived in Washington on June 7. Arrangements for Nkru- mah’s visit, are documented in files 611.45K, 110.15 McG, 945K.52, and McGhee Files: Lot 53 D 468 : File—“A frica”. Nkrumah and Gold Coast Minister of Education and Social Welfare Kojo Botsio arrived in Washington on the afternoon of June 7. That afternoon they made a courtesy visit to Assistant Secretary McGhee and met with officers of the Department of State and other government departments. The following morning, Nkrumah visited Mount Vernon and the Lincoln Memorial and then attended a luncheon hosted by Assistant Secretary McGhee. Nkrumah was also scheduled to meet with members of the Senate and House of Representatives. No record has been found of any of the substantive discussions between American officials and Nkrumah during this informal visit. For the text of McGhee’s remarks at the luncheon of June 8, see infra. On June 11 Nkrumah sent the following telegram to Assistant Secretary McGhee from: New York: “On the eve of my departure for the Gold Coast via London I wish to express to you on behalf of myself and Mr. Botsio our grateful thanks for your kind reception and hospitality and for the sympa- thetic hearing you gave to my appeal for technical assistance in the development of our country. Please extend our thanks also to all the officers of your Department for their cordial cooperation.” (110.15 McG/6-1151) * Not printed.GOLD coAsT 1271 Following his return to the Gold Coast, Nkrumah sent the following letter to McGhee on August 8: “Words of adequ uate terms are not within my reach to express my heartfelt thanks for the cordial reception accorded me during my short visit to the United States. “I also want to thank you for the courtesy and attention shown to myself and the Honourable Kojo Botsio, Gold Coast Minister of Education and Social Welfare. “The exceptional air of gesture coupled with everything that is worthy of appreciation was characteristic of your making my visit to the United States most comfortable.” (745K.13/8-851) McGhee replied to Nkrumah’s letter on August 81 as follows: “Tt was a great pleasure for me to have seen you during your stay in the United States. We here are most interested in the important developments now taking place in the Gold Coast. We are always ready to cooperate with you and your Government in every appropriate manner.” (745K.13/8-851) Assistant Secretary McGhee commented on his luncheon meeting with Nkrumah during his conversation on September 25 with French Embassy Minister Counselor Daridan; see Bourgerie’s memorandum of conversation, page 1414. ‘McGhee Files : Lot 58 D 468: File—“Africa”” Remarks Made by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee) at an Official Lunch- eon in Honor of the Gold Coast Leader of Government Business (Nkrumah), Washington, June 8, 1951+ On behalf of my Government I should like to extend a most cordial welcome to the United States to our: distinguished visitors from the Gold Coast, Mr. Nkrumah the Leader of Government Business and Mr. Botsio, the Minister of Education and Social Welfare. Mr. Nkrumah is, of course, no stranger to these shores, having done grad- uate and post-graduate work in American educational institutions, one of which so signally honored him a few days ago. During this forma- tive period of his life in the United States he came to know us well. He came to know that faith in freedom and progress is a dominant trait in the American character. Freedom and progress are as indissolubly bound to each other as air is to life. The only limitation we have put on freedom is that it be exercised in such a way as not to interfere with the freedom of others. *'The source text is part of dossier for the visit of Nkrumah to Washington, June 7-8, included in the McGhee Files. Regarding the Nkrumah visit, see the editorial note, supra. These remarks were drafted by Durnan of NHA/AF.1272 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1951, VOLUME V This concept of freedom has underlain the development of the United States since its very foundation. It is because of this freedom that we have never been primarily concerned with keeping things as they are. Our main interest is making things better by peaceful means and by the exercise of free choice. It is the traditional policy of the United States to support orderly movements towards self government. We have followed with keen interest, therefore, the efforts of the British Government over the years to promote the political, economic, social and educational advance- ment of the peoples in British African territories. January 1, 1951 marks a historical day in the Gold Coast. It may well mark a historical day in Africa. It'was on this day that a new Constitution became effective in the Gold Coast, establishing popular elections and grant- ing the African himself broad competence over his own affairs for the first time in African colonial history. This far-reaching development in British colonial policy has pro- duced misgivings in certain quarters. We, ourselves, have no such mis- givings. We have observed the competent and efficient manner with which the preliminary stages of this bold experiment have been worked out cooperatively by British officials and Africans, and the moderation and sense of responsibility shown by the African leaders since the Constitution became operative. We are confident that this experiment in African administration will succeed. It must succeed. The eyes of the world will be focused on the Gold Coast. They will watch with the hope that this first British experiment in African administration will prove beyond doubt that the African is capable of governing himself. They will watch with some degree of anxiety knowing that their many serious obstacles must be overcome. Fore- most among these is the difficulty of unifying a diverse people, a people differing in language and customs and varying markedly in degree of political consciousness and economic development. The bold- ness of the British experiment should be measured in the light of these difficulties. Excuses could have been offered with some reason for in- stituting less liberal political concessions to the people of the Gold Coast in the management of their own affairs. The decision to go forward in the face of these obstacles can be attributed only to a sin- cerity of purpose in carrying out the long avowed objectives of British colonial policy of advancing the dependent peoples to self-government as rapidly as conditions permit. It represents an incontestable denial of the oft repeated charges of the Kremlin that the British and other Western Nations are intent on keeping dependent peoples in perma- nent subjection. It is a fitting answer to the Kremlin which falsely sets itself up as the champion of dependent peoples—the same Kremlin which since 1945 has taken over more than 7-14 millionGOLD COAST 1273 square miles of new territory, an area approximately equivalent to the combined area of the colonial territories in Southern Africa, and it is even now intent on further expansion in Asia. The deepening division between the Soviet Government and the Free World is not, as is sometimes incorrectly thought, a conflict be- tween capitalism and communism. Among the nations of the Free World, in fact, there are some that have chosen a Socialist system. Rather the conflict is between a power-hungry government that is bent on imposing its system on others by force, terror, and every other means, and the community of Free Nations which refuses to be con- quered or dominated, or to stand by and see its members swallowed up. In so far as Africa is concerned it is a major objective of United States policy to assist the African peoples in any way we can in their political, social and economic advancement in accordance with the United Nations Charter. We know, and I feel sure they know, that the Soviets do not offer them the goal to which they aspire, but utter and complete subordination, many times more onerous than any restric- tion they have known in the past. Your Government, Mr. Nkrumah, is embarking on a new, untried course. Its success or failure will measure the rapidity with which con- stitutional advancement is made in other colonial territories in Africa. ‘We appreciate the numerous and formidable obstacles which must be overcome but are supremely confident that your Government will suc- cessfully solve them, We wish you success and trust that you will carry back with you the knowledge that the United States Government and its people wish always to remain the friend of the Gold Coast Govern- ment and its people. As a memento of this very happy occasion I should like to present to you, Mr. Nkrumah, a copy of the United States Government Orga- nization Manual, and to you, Mr. Botsio, a copy of a book on the American Educational System.