Do you know that prior to Ghana’s independence in 1957, Ghana had been governned by 48 Gold Coast Governors from 1843 to 1957? Well that is the fact how ever, just a few of these governors of the Gold cost were so popular till date.
I this opost we take you down memorty lane as we look at all the 48 leaders of the Gold coast. It is important to put on record that the first governor of the Gold coast was R. M. Worsely Hill while the last was Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke who was fanous for very good reasons.
One of the significant feature of the Crown colony was the Governor of each of the British colonies.
The governor is was a person appointed by the Secretary of Colony through the Monarch to manage the political administration of a colony during colonial rule
Gold coast saw a numerous and outstanding Governors who worked tirelessly to promote the British culture in the Colony.
The Governor normally appointed by the Secretary of the state colony
He act as the chairman of the executive and legislative assembly of the colonial government.He had veto power to be a dictator because all laws are formulated by him without any interference from any executive member.
He is responsible for appointment, discipline and dismissal of public services as well as monitoring lands controlled by the legislation.
Governors representing the British Monarch performed numerous duties as directed by the High Command.
This article is aimed at identifying all Colonial Governors of Gold from 1843 till Independence in 1975 but before then let us take a careful look at the two main simplified functions of governers.
- Exercising veto power as well as reserved powers. The Governor was not obligated to accept the deliberations of the council and could reject them if necessary.
- Overseeing the day-to-day administration of the colony, which involved formulating and implementing laws to ensure law and order for peaceful coexistence among the people and government officials.
The powers vested in Colonial Governors diminished the influence and authority of traditional leaders, who were subordinate to them.
Chiefs served as the mouthpieces of the Colonial Governors until independence was achieved in 1957.
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Let us take a look at all the 48 Gold Coast Governors from 1843 to 1957
| No. | Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R. M. Worsely Hill | 1843-1845 | |
| 2 | James Kelley | 1845-1846 | |
| 3 | William Winniet | 1846-1849 | |
| 4 | James Coleman | 1849-1850 | |
| 5 | William Winniet | 1850 | Second time |
| 6 | James Bannerman | 1850-1851 | |
| 7 | Stephen John Hill | 1851-1854 | |
| 8 | Henry Connor | 1854-1857 | |
| 9 | Sir Benjamin Chilley Campbell | 1857-1858 | |
| 10 | Edward B. Andrews | 1860-1862 | |
| 11 | William A. Ross | 1862 | |
| 12 | Richard Pine | 1862-1865 | |
| 13 | Rokeby Jones | 1865 | Acting |
| 14 | W. E. Mockler | 1865 | Acting |
| 15 | Edward Conran | 1865-1867 | |
| 16 | Herbert Taylor Ussher | 1867-1872 | |
| 17 | John Pope Henese | 1872 | |
| 18 | Charles Spencer Salmon | 1873 | |
| 19 | Joseph Worsely | 1873-1874 | |
| 20 | James Maxwell | 1874 | |
| 21 | Charles Lees | 1874 | |
| 22 | George Straham | 1874-1876 | |
| 23 | Stanford Feeling | 1876-1978 | |
| 24 | Herbert Taylor | 1879-1880 | |
| 25 | William Brandford Griffith | 1880-1881 | |
| 26 | Samuel Rowe | 1881-1884 | |
| 27 | W. A. G. Young | 1885-1895 | |
| 28 | William Brandford Griffith | 1885-1895 | Second time |
| 29 | William Edward Maxwell | 1895-1897 | |
| 30 | Frederick Mitchell Hodgson | 1897-1900 | |
| 31 | W. Low | 1900 | |
| 32 | Herbert Bryan | 1900 | Acting |
| 33 | John Pickeequill Rodger | 1904-1910 | |
| 34 | Herbert Bryan | 1910 | Acting |
| 35 | Hugh Charles Clifford | 1912-1919 | |
| 36 | Alexander Ransford Slater | 1919 | Acting |
| 37 | Fredrick Gordon Guggisberg | 1919-1927 | |
| 38 | James Crawford Maxwell | 1927 | Acting |
| 39 | Alexander Ransford Northcote | 1932 | Acting |
| 40 | Sir Thomas Shentons | 1932-1934 | |
| 41 | Geoffrey Northcote | 1934 | Acting |
| 42 | Arnold Wienholt Hodson | 1934-1941 | |
| 43 | George Ernest | 1941-1942 | |
| 44 | Allan Cuthbert Maxwell Burns | 1942-1947 | |
| 45 | Sir Gerald Creasy | 1948-1949 | |
| 46 | Sir Robert Scott | 1945-1949 | |
| 47 | Rattary Orde Mangin | 1949 | Acting |
| 48 | Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke | 1949-1957 |
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Among the governors listed above, Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, whose tenure lasted for eight years, is regarded as the best Governor. His administration stands unparalleled compared to that of any other Governor.
He significantly contributed to the development of the Gold Coast by establishing hospitals, school facilities, and introducing elective principles in his constitution. These reforms empowered indigenous Gold Coasters to have representation in the executive and legislative councils.