On this day in history in 1956, the National Liberation Movement(NLM) boycotted Constitutional talks

On December 17, 1956, the National Liberation Movement (NLM) was invited to Conference at Achimota to discuss Secretary of colony’s recommendations, but they rejected the proposal.

The National Liberation Movement (NLM) was formed in 1954 after the 1954 general elections. The movement was launched on 19th September 1954 at Prince of Wales Park, Kejetia Kumasi.

The brain child behind the formation was chief Linguist of Asantehene, Baffour Osei Akoto.

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The National Liberation Movement (NLM) was basically formed to fight for Liberation in the Gold Coast.

They were in favor of administration that would grant considerable decentralized power to other bodies in the colony.

The National Liberation Movement (NLM) demanded that government and regions based on how revenue is generated.

The Asantehene sent a message to Queen Victoria to send a constitutional adviser to come and advise the Gold Coast government on the form of constitutional to adopt when the country is granted independence.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) made fruitless attempts to break the deadlock.

National Liberation Movement demanded fresh elections to be conducted to confirm CPP mandate.

CPP invited Sir Frederick Bourne, an experienced colonial civil servant who had served in India and Pakistan, to come and serve as an adviser to the government.

After years of misunderstanding between traditional leaders of Asante and some rebels of CPP against the ruling government, On December 17, 1956, Sir Frederick Bourne held talks with government officials, Organization and individuals to discuss the recommendations made by the Secretary of the colony, but National Liberation Movement (NLM), Ashanti Confederation and other allies boycotted the meeting.

The NLM boycotted the Fredrick Bourne constitution proceedings and several ethnic based parties including the Northern People’s Party (NPP), and Togoland Congress supported the Asante demand for Libeation.

The Emergence of  NLM helped put the CPP on it toes. It provided an effective oppossition to the CPP which proved to be over dorminant at that time.

This finally intimately led to the 1956 Elections to decide finally what constitution to adopt at independence.