Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday 21 January 2017 / No comments
The achievements of the Aborigene's Rights Protection Society
Introduction
The formation of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society in
1897 in Cape Coast by John Mensah Sarbah was initially triggered by the 1897 Land
Bill which was to be introduced by Governor William Griffith.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Preservation of the country’s forests
One of the achievements of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection
Society was that it helped to preserve the country’s forests. This was achieved
through the prevention of the Forest Bills, which intended to create forest
reserves, from being passed into law. The creation of the forest reserve would
have taken the ownership of the lands used, from the Africans to the British.
Withdrawal of the 1897 Land Bill
Another achievement of the society was that it succeeded in
getting the Land Bill of 1897 withdrawn. The society sent a delegation, led by
John Mensah Sarbah, with a petition to the then Secretary of State for
Colonies, giving reasons why the Lands Bill should not be passed. In the end
the Secretary of State accepted their petition and the bill was subsequently
withdrawn.
Created unity
Another achievement of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection
Society was the fact that it was able to engender peace and harmony between the
chiefs and the educated elite.
Education and culture
The society was able to promote education and culture in the
colony. Their actions led to the establishment of schools in the area. An
example of such school is the Mfantsipim Senior High School.
Mouth piece of the people
Another achievement of the society was that it managed to
become the voice of the Gold Coasters. It championed the interests of the
people and succeeded in agitating for constitutional reforms in the colony.
Raised political consciousness
The activities of the society also helped to raise the political
and national consciousness of the Gold Coasters. The people were now able to
stand up to the introduction of any bills or policies that they felt did not inure
to their benefit.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Highlight six achievements of the Aborigines’ Rights
Protection Society.
2. In which six ways did the Aborigines’ Rights Protection
Society contribute to the political development of the Gold Coast?
