Q.7 The anti-colonial struggles in west Africa were led by the new elite of Western Educated Africans. Examine.

    Around the world, the intelligentsia has played an important role in shaping the country’s polity. Roseau’s writing’s was inspiration for French Revolution. India too found leadership from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. B.R Ambedkar, M.K.Gandhi who western educated. Similarly, in West Africa, west educated leaders contributed significantly to the anti colonial struggle.

    Dr. Kwame Nubrumah, a London and US educated scholar played a pivotal role in achieving independence of Gold Coast (later rechristened as Ghana)

    Nandi Azikiwae, an western educated liberal was instrumental in the hard struggle for Nigeria’s emancipation.  

    When these scholars returned to their native country’s after their stint abroad they could clearly perceive the injustice meted out to them and their countrymen. Having spent some time in land of where mutual respect, equality,  freedom and dignity were enjoyed, they could understand the artificial rules and exploitation under colonial administration in a clear manner.

    Having born into a state of oppression and never experienced equality, most perceived and believeed that inequality is natural and the only way of life. Their vision had narrowed and they inculcated these distorted values. When they experienced an alternative form of life abroad their vision had broadened. The Congress ministers of 1937, served as on eye opener to Indian masses of what a self- government would contain. It was similar to the enlightenment of the leaders in Western nations. Until then, people had varying and vauge conceptions of what swaraj would mean. This boosted the morale of masses and furthered their resolve to freedom.

    Awareness and education has served as a precursor of any struggle. Not only the leaders, the citizens should also be educated and democratic ethos inculcated. Most African nations post-independence have witnessed civil wars, establishment of dictatorships. The lack of political education (such as the one Indian freedom fighters inculcated among masses) has been cited as the reason for this. 

     Not only in West Africa, the anti colonial struggle around the world was led by educated and socially awakened individualls. In West Africa, the new elite of Western education nations played an important role in anti colonial struggle.