Constitution of the Fante Confederacy

Audience

The constitution of the new Fante Confederacy that was published in 1871 was truly a landmark document. It was intended for two main audiences. Clearly, it was designed to provide a rallying point for Fante nationalism. The Fante leaders and members of the educated class were the arrowhead of this incipient movement. The provisions of the constitution reflect a grand vision for the advancement of the economic, social, and political interests of the larger population of the Fante states. Additionally, since the constitution was addressed to the British secretary of state for the colonies, one can assume that the framers of the constitution were attempting to prove to the British authorities that they had the capacity not only to govern themselves but also to form modern political institutions that would create the conditions for political stability and economic development. Unfortunately for the Fante, the British government largely ignored it.