Assessment of the Social Changes of Colonialism : Ghana 1874-1957

Ghana became the first state below the Sahara to attain political independence from the Imperialist British after close to a century of colonialism. The period of colonialism saw significant social changes brought about by colonial ordinances and policies. The paper assesses the social dynamics as changes experienced by the Gold Coast Colony (now Ghana). One of the significant social changes that occurred during colonialism was the traditional social structures transformation. Before colonization in the 19th century, Ghanaian society was organised around the extended family system where parental concerns were essential and polygamous relationships were acceptable. Traditional rulers held significant authority, power and significance. However, the colonial regime sought to centralise power and authority creating a new administrative structure, such as district and regional councils staffed by British officials and local elites loyal to the colonial government. These structures undermined the authority of traditional chiefs leading to the emergence of a stratified society with the educated elites more closely aligned with the colonial regime. The introduction of a new legal system and institutions further exacerbated the social changes. The colonial regime imposed its legal system on Ghana based on English common law resulting in new courts and legal institutions staffed by British judges and lawyers, therefore, undermining traditional forms of dispute resolutions. The indirect rule system which strengthened the power of traditional rulers led to the erosion of traditional forms of governance as chiefs were forced to adopt new administrative practices and policies to maintain their power resulting sometimes in destoolments as happened in Gwira. In all, the colonial period changed the social relations and structures as well as eroding the traditional forms of governance and creating new ethnic and religious divisions. The legacy of colonialism in Ghana continues to shape the country’s social and political landscape to this day