THE MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION 1951

CONTENT

1. Background to the 1951 Macpherson Constitution
2. Basic Features of the 1951 Macpherson Constitution
3. Merits and Demerits of the Macpherson Constitution
4. Breakdown of the Macpherson Constitution

Background to the 1951 Macpherson Constitution

As discussed previously, Sir Arthur Richards constitution had several defects and the defects attracted criticisms from Africans who had become increasingly politically conscious. The objective of the Macpherson’s constitution, therefore was to overcome the flops in the Richards constitution of 1946 and to accelerate the forward march towards democratic self-rule. This followed the increased and intensified agitations of nationalists.

Unlike Sir Arthur Richard who drew up the 1946 constitution alone, John Macpherson had a strategy of involving the Africans in the preparation of the 1951 constitution. Thus he set up various specialized committees to study the constitution. He summoned divisional meetings in which divisional representatives were present, and finally a regional conference.

Basic Features of the 1951 Macpherson Constitution

The following are the basic features of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951:

1. The constitution established for the first time, a legislative council for the whole country called “The House of Representatives”.