Identify four weaknesses of the British Colonial administration in West Africa.
Explanation
Four weaknesses of the British colonial administration in West Africa:
(i)The legislative councils were dominated by British officials.
(ii) The elective principle was restricted i.e. limited franchise.
(iii) Sidelined the educated elite and limited their representation in the colonial administration.
(iv) The executive councils we dominated by British officials
(v) The governors had double votes which could be used to promote British colonial policies against African interests.
(vi) Governors were dictators as they had the power to accept or reject the advice given by the executive councils and laws passed by the legislative councils.
(vii) The British dominant interest in Banking, Commerce, Mining were detrimental to the African interest.
(viii) British administration in some cases interfered with the people’s culture and trading e.g. warrant chiefs and disposition of traditional rulers.
(ix) Electioneering democracy was limited to few areas of the colonies.
(x) The colonialists created artificial boundaries for their selfish interests.
(xi) The divide and rule policy created an uneven development.