Colonial administration in West Africa was a result of

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the main cause of colonial administration in West Africa. It is asking about the underlying motive for colonial rule.

Step 2: Explain the concept European powers such as Britain, France, and Germany took control of West Africa after the Berlin Conference (1884-85). The Industrial Revolution in Europe is the key background. It created:

• A huge demand for raw materials such as palm oil, cocoa, groundnuts, cotton, rubber, and timber for European factories.
• A need for markets to sell surplus manufactured goods.
• A need for places to invest surplus capital.

Colonial administration (indirect rule, direct rule, assimilation) was set up to organize, control, and protect these economic interests.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. A need for a new environment: Wrong. Europeans were not looking for a place to relocate. West Africa's climate was even considered dangerous to them ("White man's grave").
• B. The desire to underdevelop West Africa: Wrong. Underdevelopment was a consequence of exploitation, not the original motive.
• C. A need for raw materials and markets: Correct. This was the primary economic motive for colonization and thus for colonial administration.
• D. The urge to introduce western education: Wrong. Education was a by-product, largely driven by missionaries and the need for clerks and interpreters, not the main cause.

Step 4: Answer

Tip: For "causes of colonialism" questions, remember the 3 Cs: Commerce (raw materials and markets), Christianity (missionary work), Civilization. In WASSCE Government, the economic motive is usually the strongest answer. Options that mention "underdevelop" or "new environment" are usually distractors.