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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The municipal system and local administration at Cape Coast: 1858-1957
Author:Quarcoopome, Samuel S.
Year:2002
Periodical:Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana (ISSN 0855-3246)
Issue:6
Pages:83-98
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Ghana
West Africa
Subjects:municipal government
colonialism
History and Exploration
Politics and Government
Urbanization and Migration
History, Archaeology
local government
history
Cape Coast (Ghana)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/41406670
Abstract:In 1858, convinced that the traditional institutions were unable to administer Cape Coast (Ghana), evidenced amongst others in their inability to assume responsibility for hygiene and sanitation, the British introduced the concept of municipal administration. However, they never succeeded in setting up an effective municipal system of government at Cape Coast. British failure hinged on three main issues. No serious attempt was made to actively involve the traditional authorities. Secondly, throughout the period under study (1906-1957), the Cape Coast Town Council had serious financial difficulties, and its weak revenue base was never seriously addressed. Thirdly, there was a sharp division between the Council's nominated official members and the unofficial African members. The official members paid no rates yet their de facto majority meant that it was they who determined the rates and how they were to be collected and used. This remained a sore point with the elected African members. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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