UNREST IN THE GOLD COAST - Stn,—In your issue of
March 19th, you suggest that there are probably other factors than the Communist bogey responsible for the unrest in the Gold Coast. This is, of course, entirely correct, although the recent
flare-up has most likely been promoted by external and subversive elements. The main causes are clearly a variety of circumstances. The ex-Servicemen undoubtedly imagine they have a grievance. I had the privilege of serving with them during the war, and the return to the Gold Coast from Burma was certainly an anti-climax. A land fit for heroes now apparently offers either the pre-war farming conditions or else unemployment in the towns. To suggest, however, that this is the main cause is to over-simplify what is now happening. The essence of the trouble lies in the fact that education on western lines over the last twenty years has proceeded much too quickly. It is clearly inviting trouble to educate an African farming population unless you can offer them scope for their learning when they have acquired it. By and large few opportunities have been offered—hence the -disturbances.
Some two years ago I suggested to the Colonial Office that local industries should be encouraged with the object not only of supplying local demands but also of absorbing labour that would otherwise find no outlet and would in consequence cause political repercussions. West Africa possesses an abundance of raw materials, including coal, iron ore, manganese and tin, and the introduction of certain light industries would be a very simple affair. To do so now would quickly dissipate the principal causes of unrest whose manifestations are nothing more nor less than an equivalent to our Jarrow hunger-marches.—Yours faithfully,
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