§ 47. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the protests in Ashanti against the proposed amendment of State Councils Ordinance, 1952 (Ashanti); why he approved such reduction of the powers of the Asanteman Council; how far the right of appeal to the judiciary will be preserved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe proposed amendment to the State Councils Ordinance, 1952 (Ashanti) which gave rise to protests in Ashanti was further amended during its passage through the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly and now gives lesser Chiefs the same right of appeal as have paramount Chiefs to the Governor acting in his discretion. The determination of these matters rests with the Gold Coast Government, which has declared its intention of introducing at a later stage legislation to get up an independent Local Constitutional Commission to which appeals could be addressed. The Ordinance has not yet been transmitted to me for the signification of Her Majesty's Pleasure. There is no question of preserving rights of judicial appeal for which the existing legislation does not provide.