عنوان

The United Africa Company in the Gold Coast / Ghana, 1920 to 1965

TLets496297

The United Africa Company in the Gold Coast / Ghana, 1920 to 1965

[Thesis]

Jones, P. A.

School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London)

1983

Ph.D.

School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London)

1983

Lever Brothers' early interests in the Gold Coast/Ghana, theformation of the United Africa Company and its changing commercialactivities throughout the period are examined. The company passedthrough three phases as the management perceived potential for growthin different sectors of the economy. Relationships with the colonialgovernment and the changing political atmosphere are shown to affectthe company's policies. The organisational structure altered andwith it the distribution of its activities. Statistical data is usedto support the argument.Part I gives a brief survey of the Gold Coast in the 1920s andcovers the first phase, an era of market penetration. Intensecompetition in West African trade culminated in a series of mergerswhich led to the formation of the United Africa Company (U. A. C. ) in1929. Trade was in the export of cocoa and the import of generalmerchandise. A close network of small trading stations developed.Part II outlines the second phase, from 1930 to 1945, characterisedby consolidation, U. A. C. was the largest trading organisation in theGold Coast and political tensions developed. Head office exertedfinancial control and policies concentrated on expansion of turnover.Wasteful inter-company competition was slowly eliminated and thecountry was divided into districts. Some specialisation began butthe major activities were still in cocoa trading and general merchandise.Part III deals with the third phase, from 1945 to 1965, one ofredeployment. Overall policies were dictated by considerations ofreturn on capital employed. Intense criticism from the government and nationalists affected the company's decisions. The role ofspecialist merchant and industrialist was adopted. A stronglyvertical organisation developed typical of a multinational companyand this was reflected in the distribution of offices and branches.Partly summarises U. A. C. 's commercial activities within thecountry's economy.

Jones, P. A.

School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London)

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y