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G. E. Ferguson

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George Ekem Ferguson (14 July 1864 - 7 April 1897), also known as Ekow Atta, was a Fante civil servant in the British colony of Gold Coast (modern Ghana).

Early life

Ferguson was born on 14 July 1864, in Anomabo. His father was Robert Archibald Ferguson, who worked for the trading company F. & A. Swanzy in Winneba, while his grandfather, Samuel Ferguson, had been a colonial doctor. He had a twin brother, who died in infancy, and four sisters. Little is known of his mother except that she was a Christian. Ferguson was born into a family at the top of the colonial social hierarchy, whose lifestyle was heavily influenced by British customs. (Arhin 1985, p. 1)

Ferguson was educated from an early age, attending primary school at Cape Coast. He proceeded to enter the Wesleyan Boys High School, Freetown, in 1876. His studies there included mathematics, geography, British and ancient history, classics, French, photography and religious education. The school had been founded by leading Krio, who sympathised with the goals of British imperialism. The curriculum was therefore designed to promote the superiority of British values. (Arhin 1985, p. 2)

Career

He left school in 1881, and, considering becoming a Methodist minister, returned to Cape Coast, where he worked as a teacher at the Wesleyan Boy's High School. Later in the year, he joined the Colonial Service and received a position at the Governor's office. In November 1882, he was promoted to Clerk to the Queen's Advocate, with a salary of £60. By 1886 he had returned to the Governor's office, and in 1889 he was Second Clerk, with a salary of £120. During this period, he travelled with the Governor on visits to Prasu (1881), to Lagos (1881, 1882, 1884), to Keta, Ada, Krobo and Akwapim (1882) and to Wassa and Nzima (1888). Ferguson was invaluable to the colonial authorities in the arbitration of tribal disputes, such as that between the Krobo and Akwamu in 1886, because he could speak Fanti and Ga, allowing him to communicate with the vast majority of the southern inhabitants of the colony. He also produced a map of the colony and conducted a survey of the water supply of Accra during this period as part of his official duties.

After eight years service as a junior civil servant, Ferguson applied to study one year course at the Royal College of Science, London. He was given paid leave by the colonial authorities, who encouraged his educational ambitions. In London, he studied mining, geology, surveying, mathematics and astronomy; performing well in his June exams, he received a First Class diploma. (Arhin 1985, p.5) In September 1890, he returned to the Gold Coast. He was appointed as a Supernumerary Foreman of Works, a surveying role, in 1891. He was promoted to Inspector of Trade Roads in October 1893.(Ahrin 1985, p. 5)

Ferguson was chosen by the colonial government for the job of negotiating treaties with rulers in the north of the colony.[1] While there, Ferguson also worked to stop slave raids.[2]

His expeditions into the Gold Coast hinterland were highly influential in creating the boundaries of modern Ghana. His reports on the countryside through which he passed were detailed, and he was able to fix the location of places and provide maps.

At the same time, in order to extend the British sphere of influence, he made treaties of protection and freedom of trade with the territories through which he passed. In 1897, he and his expedition reached Danwa, where fighting broke out between the British and the Sofa army over the food supply. In the course of this action, Ferguson, abandoned by his servants, was killed.

One memorial to him is located in the northern city of Wa,[2][3] and another is found in his hometown of Anomabu.[4]

References

  • Arhin, Kwame (1985). "George Ekem Ferguson of the Gold Coast Colony, 1864-1897". Research Reports of the African Studies Centre (25). Leiden.
  • Dumett, Raymond E; Arhin, Kwame (1975). "Review of The Papers of George Ekem Ferguson: A Fanti Official of the Government of the Gold Coast, 1890-1897 by Kwame Arhin". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 8 (4). The International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 8, No. 4. doi:10.2307/216721. JSTOR 216721. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)

Further reading

  • Ferguson, George Ekem (1974). Kwame Arhin (ed.). The Papers of George Ekem Ferguson: A Fanti Official of the Government of the Gold Coast, 1890-1897. African Social Research Documents, Vol. 7. Leiden: African Studies Centre. p. 178.

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  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference papers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Upper West Region". Ghanaconsulatenewyork.org. Ghana Consulate-General, New York. Archived from the original on 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  3. ^ "George Ferguson's Tomb". Ghanatourism.gov.gh. Ministry of Tourism of Ghana. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference ghp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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