Watson Commission

The Watson Commission was a commission of enquiry appointed by Sir Gerald Hallen Creasy, governor of the Gold Coast (1948–1949) to investigate the disturbances that occurred in the Gold Coast in February and March 1948. The commission was chaired by Aiken Watson.[1]

Background

On 28 February 1948 the shooting of protesting ex-service men lead to looting and rioting in Accra and other major towns in the Gold Coast. The leadership of the United Gold Coast Convention sent a telegram to the Secretary of State of the Colonies Arthur Creech Jones in London blaming Governor Creasey as the cause of the disturbance.[2] These leaders were arrested and detained; they become known as the Big Six.[3] The disturbance lasted for five days and the colonial government commissioned the Watson Commission to probe the cause of the disturbance.[4]

The reference of the commission was "To enquire into and report on the recent disturbances in the Gold Coast and their underlying causes; and to make recommendations on any matter arising from the enquiry." The commission was made up of Aiken Watson (chairman), Andrew Dalgleish and Keith A. H. Murray.[1]

Findings and recommendation

The commission submitted its report on 26 April 1948 to the Governor of the Gold Coast and Secretary of State of the Colonies. It found that the shooting of the ex-serviceman and the detaining of the Big Six was the immediate cause of the disturbance.

References
  1. Colonial Office: Commission of enquiry into disturbances in the Gold Coast (Watson Commission, 1948). Commission of enquiry into disturbances in the Gold Coast. 1948.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "The Riots of 28th February 1948 – Public Records And Archives Administration Department". Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  3. Dedey, Kosi (8 March 2007). "The 'Big Six', Myth or Reality?". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  4. Arden-Clarke, Charles (1958). "Gold Coast Into Ghana: Some Problems of Transition". International Affairs. 34 (1): 49–56. doi:10.2307/2605866. ISSN 0020-5850.


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