§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many town councils exist in the Gold Coast; what number and percentage of elected members is there; what is the basis of franchise; and what is the constitution and basis of franchise of the Kumasi Town Council?
§ Colonel StanleyThere are three town councils in the Gold Coast Colony and one has recently been proposed for Kumasi in Ashanti. In each of the three Colony town councils there are four elected members out of a total of 10. All men and women are entitled to be enrolled as electors who are 21 years old and own 1703W or occupy property in the town of a minimum rateable value of not less than £6. It is proposed that the composition of the Kumasi town council shall be as follows:—
The Assistant Chief Commissioner and three other members nominated by the Chief Commissioner of Ashanti; two members nominated by the Asantehene and the Kumasi Divisional Council; one member nominated by the Kumasi Chamber of Commerce; and six members elected by the six wards of Kumasi. It is also proposed that the right to vote for the elected member of each ward should be given to any person of not less than 21 years of age who owns or rents a room in that ward and had owned or rented a room in the township for not less than six months.
Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information on any recent developments in municipal government and responsibility in West Africa, and particularly in the Gold Coast?
§ Colonel StanleyApproval has been given to proposals made by the Governor of the Gold Coast for setting up a town council at Kumasi to replace the Kumasi Public Health Board. There will be thirteen members, of whom at least eight may be Africans. Subject to the general control of the Governor, the council will have a free hand to administer the township. The Governor's proposals have been well received by local public opinion. The Governor of the Gambia has invited the elected members of the advisory town council, Bathurst, to consult with the people of their wards and then, with the aid of the chairman, to formulate for his consideration definite proposals for replacing the advisory council by a local government body.