GOV • SHS 1Term 3WAEC / WASSCE SyllabusVIP Lesson
Constitutional Developments in Pre-Independence Ghana
Clifford Constitution (1916), Guggisberg Constitution (1925), Burns Constitution (1946), Coussey Constitution (1951), and Nkrumah's 1954 Constitution.
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Real-World Context & Relevance in Ghana
Sir Gordon Guggisberg is remembered not only for his 1925 constitution but for founding Achimota School, Korle Bu Hospital, and Takoradi Harbour.
Key Syllabus Learning Objectives
- 1Trace the constitutional milestones in the Gold Coast from 1916 to 1954
- 2Evaluate the significance of the elective principle introduced under the Guggisberg Constitution
- 3Analyze the historical breakthrough of the Burns Constitution of 1946
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Comprehensive Syllabus Study Notes
• Clifford Constitution of 1916: Expanded Legislative Council to 21 members; introduced first token representation of paramount chiefs (e.g. Nana Ofori Atta I).
• Guggisberg Constitution of 1925:
- Milestone: Introduced the elective principle for the first time in the Gold Coast (3 municipal seats: Accra, Cape Coast, Sekondi).
- Created Provincial Councils of Chiefs to elect 6 chiefs to the Legislative Council.
• Burns Constitution of 1946:
- Historic landmark: Created the first African non-official majority in any British African legislative council.
- United the Colony and Asante for legislative purposes for the very first time. Northern Territories remained excluded.
• Coussey Constitution of 1951:
- Formulated by an all-African committee following the 1948 riots. Created an Executive Council with African ministers and Leader of Government Business.
• Nkrumah's 1954 Constitution:
- Established an all-African Cabinet directly responsible to an all-elected Legislative Assembly; ended gubernatorial presence in cabinet; universal adult suffrage introduced.
- Clifford Constitution of 1916: Expanded Legislative Council to 21 members; introduced first token representation of paramount chiefs (e.g. Nana Ofori Atta I).
- Guggisberg Constitution of 1925:
- Milestone: Introduced the elective principle for the first time in the Gold Coast (3 municipal seats: Accra, Cape Coast, Sekondi).
- Created Provincial Councils of Chiefs to elect 6 chiefs to the Legislative Council.
- Burns Constitution of 1946:
- Historic landmark: Created the first African non-official majority in any British African legislative council.
- United the Colony and Asante for legislative purposes for the very first time. Northern Territories remained excluded.
- Coussey Constitution of 1951:
- Formulated by an all-African committee following the 1948 riots. Created an Executive Council with African ministers and Leader of Government Business.
- Nkrumah's 1954 Constitution:
- Established an all-African Cabinet directly responsible to an all-elected Legislative Assembly; ended gubernatorial presence in cabinet; universal adult suffrage introduced.
Practical Example:
Sir Gordon Guggisberg is remembered not only for his 1925 constitution but for founding Achimota School, Korle Bu Hospital, and Takoradi Harbour.
Core Takeaway:
Remember the key constitutional dates: 1925 introduced elective principle; 1946 created first African majority; 1954 gave an all-African cabinet.
WAEC / WASSCE Examiner Tips
- Remember the key constitutional dates: 1925 introduced elective principle; 1946 created first African majority; 1954 gave an all-African cabinet.
Common Candidate Pitfalls & Errors to Avoid
- Confusing the Clifford and Burns constitutions.
- Writing that the 1946 Burns Constitution introduced the prime minister.
- Giving the Coussey Committee as a constitution made by the British.
- Naming the 1925 constitution undemocratic without noting its elected members.
- Forgetting that every constitution before 1957 reserved emergency powers to the Governor.
Topic Mastery Checklist
- Trace the constitutional milestones in the Gold Coast from 1916 to 1954
- Evaluate the significance of the elective principle introduced under the Guggisberg Constitution
- Analyze the historical breakthrough of the Burns Constitution of 1946
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