The First World War had a great impact on West Africa, as Britain ordered the invasion of German colonies in Cameroon and Togoland, using its own colonies as base. The West African Frontier Force, drawn from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and Gambia played a key role in the campaign. War had also had a great impact on the civilian population, as the British drew off workers and resources. How did African soldiers experience the campaign? What did the war mean for West African societies as a whole?

Several talks will explore these and other questions. Staff and volunteers of the African Heritage and Education Centre will present an exhibition of their work on their Heritage Lottery funded project on the West African Frontier Force and will be there to discuss the project. The exhibition will be launched by The Ghana High Commission.

Speakers will include:

Bamidele Aly – the role and use of money in the war
Christine Borsah – on the African Heritage and Education Centre’s project on the West African Frontier Force
Nigel Browne-Davies – who went to war in West Africa and why
Sonia Grant – the experiences of black internees in Germany

Staff from the Great War in Africa Association and The National Archives will be there to advise on research. The African Heritage and Education Centre is particularly keen to engage with those whose heritage reaches back to West Africa in the war years.

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