Queen of England in Ghana

Communities and individuals took it upon themselves to change the status quo, and take hold of their fate. The fight for individuality intensified, as people formed social groups. More was demanded from governments all across the world. Groundbreaking inventions accelerated the industrial revolution. Political and economic systems were debated and fought over. Wars ravaged humanity, and more elaborate global trade channels were being established.

Before long, Africa began to gain its independence. Europe began to loosen its administrative grip on colonies, and before the turn of the 21st century, most African nations had gotten their independence.

This would mean that Queen Elizabeth, the second born in 1928 and died in 2022, oversaw the liberation of all of the British colonies in Africa. Ghana was the first African country to gain independence from the British colony, in 1957, the queen was 31 years old then. She became The Queen of England in 1952, so she was the head monarch 5 years before the first African liberation.

Below are some of the countries that gained independence under Queen Elizabeth the second’s rule;

Sierra Leone: This was the first British colony, colonized in 1808 by freed slaves from England. The country gained independence in 1961.

Ghana: Ghana was colonized as early as 1902 after huge reserves of gold were discovered in the land. It gained independence in 1957. Before colonization. The Ashanti people ruled its lands. 

Nigeria: Despite British presence not too far away, this land was officially colonized in 1914, 12 years after Ghana’s colonization. This region also saw one of the most extreme amalgamations, as over 200 independent tribes were forced to co-exist within a designated border. Nigeria gained independence in 1960.

Sudan: The name Sudan in Arabic means the land of black people. Colonized in 1899. Sections of this region were under Belgium's rule before fully becoming a British colony, following the death of Leopold. The country gained its independence in 1956.

Uganda: Before becoming a British protectorate in1894, this region of the world experienced some intense religious conflicts as four religious groups battled for supremacy. They were the Native Religion, Catholic, Muslim, and Protestant. The country gained its independence in 1962.

Kenya: Before its colonization in 1920, the Sultan of Zanzibar had sovereignty over the region currently known as Kenya. The signing of the Heligoland Zanzibar treaty gave England and Germany ownership of Kenya. Kenya gained independence in 1963

Tanzania: Formerly known as Tanganyika, Tanzania was initially a German colony. After the first world war, Britain seized control of the region, as part of the terms of the treaty of Versailles. It was colonized by the British in 1919 and gained independence in 1961. 

Zambia: This country was colonized in 1888, after the British secured mineral rights in the region, but it officially became a British protectorate 10 years later. Zambia gained its independence in 1964. 

Botswana: The British colonized Botswana in 1885 as a way to block the alliance between the Boers (Dutch settlers in South Africa) in the Transvaal and the Germans in current-day Namibia. In 1885 the British put Bechuanaland, current day Botswana, under its protection. Botswana gained independence in 1966.

Zimbabwe: Formerly known as South Rhodesia, this country became a self-governing British colony as early as 1923. Colonized in 1890, Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, making it the last country to free itself from British rule. 

South Africa: This nation has seen its fair share of foreign invaders. The Portuguese were the first European settlers to reach the Southern Coastline in 1497. Centuries later, in 1965, the Dutch settlers trooped in, before the nation was finally colonized by Britain in 1815. South Africa finally gained its independence in 1961

POSTED BY OPEYEMI SOYOYE ON AUGUST 11, 2022

An Indian lawyer, Tungnath Chaturvedi, has won a 22-year court battle involving 100 hearings after he was overcharged for a train ticket in 1999.

Chaturvedi paid 20 rupees (21p) more than he should have for two tickets on a North East Railway service from Mathura to Moradabad in 1999. He was handed over 100 rupees for two tickets on the regional railway line, which cost 35 rupees each.



He should have been given 30 rupees back, but the clerk gave him just ten, leaving him 20 rupees out of pocket.

Interestingly, after a 22-year legal battle with the company and the clerk, a court in the northern province has awarded Mr. Chaturvedi compensation of 15,000 rupees (£154).



Speaking in a chat with BBC, Chaturvedi said,

“I have attended more than 100 hearings in connection with this case. But you can’t put a price on the energy and time I’ve lost. It’s not the money that matters.”

The court also ordered North East Railway to pay 12 per cent interest on the 20-rupee overcharge for each of the 22 years, totaling 280 rupees (£2.90).

That brings the railroaded passenger’s overall payback to £156.90, and if it isn’t paid within 30 days, the railway company must pay 15 per cent interest.

A railway tribunal had dismissed the case, but India’s Supreme Court ruled that the lawsuit could be heard in a more sympathetic consumer court.

Chaturvedi said his family advised him to give up the case, but he persisted anyway, and represented himself in court.

He added that he hopes his case can be an inspiration to others.

“One doesn’t need to give up even when the fight looks tough.” He said.