Constitution of the Fante Confederacy

Document Text

To all whom it may concern.

Whereas we, the undersigned kings and chiefs of Fanti, have taken into consideration the deplorable state of our peoples and subjects in the interior of the Gold Coast, and whereas we are of opinion that unity and concord among ourselves would conduce to our mutual well-being, and promote and advance the social and political condition of our peoples and subjects, who are in a state of degradation, without the means of education and of carrying on proper industry; we, the said kings and chiefs, after having fully discussed and considered the subject at meetings held at Mankessim on the 16th day of October last and following days, have unanimously resolved and agreed upon the articles hereinafter named.

Article 1. That we, the kings and chiefs of Fanti here present, form ourselves into a committee with the view of effecting unity of purpose and of action between the kings and chiefs of the Fanti territory.

2. That we, the kings and chiefs here assembled, now form ourselves into a compact body for the purpose of more effectually bringing about certain improvements (hereinafter to be considered) in the country.

3. That this compact body shall be recognised under the title and designation of the “Fanti Confederation.”

4. That there shall be elected a president, vice-president, secretary, under-secretary, treasurer and assistant-treasurer.

5. That the president be elected from the body of kings, and be proclaimed king-president of the Fanti Confederation.

6. That the vice-president, secretary and under-secretary, treasurer and assistant-treasurer, who shall constitute the ministry, be men of education and position.

7. That it be competent to the Fanti Confederation thus constituted to receive into its body politic any other king or kings, chief or chiefs, who may not now be present.

8. That it be the object of the Confederation:

i. To promote friendly intercourse between all the kings and chiefs of Fanti, and to unite them for offensive and defensive purposes against their common enemy.

ii. To direct the labours of the Confederation towards the improvement of the country at large.

iii. To make good and substantial roads throughout all the interior districts included in the Confederation.

iv. To erect school-houses and establish schools for the education of all children within the Confederation, and to obtain the service of efficient schoolmasters.

v. To promote agricultural and industrial pursuits, and to endeavour to introduce such new plants as may hereafter become sources of profitable commerce to the country.

vi. To develop and facilitate the working of the mineral and other resources of the country.

9. That an executive council be formed, composed of [the ministry] … who shall be ex-officio members thereof, together with such others as may be hereafter from time to time appointed.

10. That in order that the business of the Confederation be properly carried on during the course of the year, each king and principal chief shall appoint two representatives, one educated, the other a chief or headman of the district of such king and principal chief, who shall attend the meetings which the secretary may deem necessary to convene for the deliberation of state matters.

11. That the representatives of the kings and chiefs assembled in council shall be known under the designation of the “Representative Assembly of the Fanti Confederation” and that this assembly be called together by the secretary as state exigency may require.

12. That this representative assembly shall have the power … of exercising all the functions of a legislative body.

13. That the representatives of each king and chief be responsible to the nation for the effectual carrying out of the bills, resolutions &c passed at such meetings and approved of by the king-president.…

15. That the National Assembly shall appoint an educated man to represent the king-president, and act as vice-president of the Confederation; and that the vice-president shall preside over all meetings convened by the secretary.

16. That there shall be in the month of October of each year, a gathering of the kings, principal chiefs, and others within the Confederation, when a recapitulation of the business done by the Representative Assembly shall be read, and the programme of the ensuing year discussed.

17. That at such meetings the king-president shall preside, and that it be the duty of the king-president to sanction all laws &c passed by the Representative Assembly, so far as they are compatible with the interests of the country.

18. That the king-president shall not have the power to pass any, or originate any laws … &c nor create any office or appointment, excepting by and under the advice of the ministry.

19. That the representatives of the kings and principal chiefs hold office as members of the Representative Assembly for three years, at the expiration of which it shall be competent for the kings and chiefs to reelect the same or appoint other representatives.

20. That the members of the Ministry and Executive Council hold office for three years, and that it be competent to the National Assembly to re-elect all or any of them and appoint others.…

[Articles 21–27. Details of school and road-building programme.]

28. That a site or town, unanimously agreed upon, be chosen as the nominal capital of the Confederation, where the principal business of the State should be conducted.

29. That provincial assessors be appointed in each province or district, who shall perform certain judicial functions and attend to the internal management thereof.…

[Articles 30–33. Duties of Secretary and Treasurer.]

34. That it be the duty of the undersecretary …

To hear and determine, with an assistant appointed by the Secretary, cases which may be brought from the provincial courts.

To arrange important appeal cases for the hearing of the Executive Council, which shall constitute the final court of appeal of the Confederation.…

[Articles 35–36. Duties of assistant-treasurer and provincial assessors.]

37. That in each province or district, provincial courts be established to be presided over by the provincial assessors.

38. That it be the duty of the Ministry and Executive Council:

To advise the King-President in all state matters.…

To hear, try and determine all important appeal cases brought before it by the under-secretary, option being allowed to any party or parties dissatisfied with the decision thereof to appeal to the British Courts.…

39. That three of the “ex-officio” members of the Executive Council, or two ex-officio and two non-official members of the Executive Council shall form a quorum of said Council.…

40. That one-third of the members composing the Representative Assembly shall form a quorum.

41. That all laws … &c be carried by the majority of votes in the Representative Assembly or Executive Council, in the latter the Vice-President possessing a casting vote.

42. That it be the duty of the National Assembly, held in October of each year …

To elect from the body of kings the President for the ensuing year.…

To consider all programmes laid before it by the Executive Council.…

To place on the “stool” in cases of disputed succession thereto, the person elected by the Executive Council, with the concurrence of the principal inhabitants of the town, croom or district.

43. That the officers of the Confederation shall render assistance as directed by the executive in carrying out the wishes of the British Government.