I. T. A. Wallace-Johnson

I. T. A. Wallace-Johnson

human

Ein sex anaa gender	male
Ein country of citizenship	Sierra Leone, British West Africa
Name in native language	Isaac Theophilus Akunna Wallace-Johnson
Name wey dem give am	Isaac, Theophilus
Family name	Johnson
Ein date of birth	1894
Place dem born am	Wilberforce
Date wey edie	10 May 1965
Place wey edie	Ghana
Cause of death	traffic collision
Languages edey speak, rep anaa sign	English
Ein occupation	journalist, politician, trade unionist
Political party ein member	West African Youth League

Isaac Theophilus Akunna Wallace-Johnson (1894 – 10 May 1965) be Sierra Leonean, British West African workers' leader, journalist, activist plus politician wey people sabi as one of West Africa ein most influential anti-colonial figures. He talk loud for workers' rights, press freedom plus African self-governance. He start de West African Youth League (WAYL) den play big role insyd Sierra Leone ein labour movement.

Ein strong political position, support for Marxist ideologies plus ein criticism of colonial rule make dem arrest, put am for trial den expel am plenty times across British West Africa. Later Wallace-Johnson move from militant activism enter mainstream politics, wey he serve as delegate for Sierra Leone ein independence talks insyd 1960.

Early life

Dem born am to poor Creole parents insyd Wilberforce, British Sierra Leone — one village wey dey next to de capital city Freetown. Ein poppie be farmer, plus ein mommie be fish trader. He go Centenary Tabernacle Day School then later de United Methodist Collegiate School.

After he for leave school after two years to support ein family, he take work insyd de customs department for 1913, where dem sack am for organise labour strike. But one year later, dem call am back after de secretary of State for de Colonies check de case. For 1916, he join Carrier Corps as clerk during World War I, serve for Cameroon, East Africa plus de Middle East as part of de British infantry. After dem release am from duty insyd 1920, he work small time as municipal clerk for Freetown, where he claim say he expose corruption wey lead to arrest of big officials.

After he lose ein municipal government job insyd 1926, Wallace-Johnson leave Sierra Leone plus work as sailor, though dis time get wahala stories, as de accounts no match. Some say he serve on American ocean liner, some say he be engine hand for Elder Dempster Lines — he give different story for interviews plus lectures. For 1929, he work one year for Sekondi as clerk insyd trading company.

All through dis time, he dey write articles for Aurora, de newspaper wey H. C. Bankole-Bright dey edit.

Union organiser den Communist affiliations

Wallace-Johnson join de UK National Seamen’s Union plus dem talk say he edit The Seafarer, wey be newsletter for black sailors. People also talk say he join de Communist Party, wey dey actively find members among sailors wey dey port cities.

Insyd 1930, he co-found Nigerian Workers' Union — de first trade union wey Nigeria get — plus Frank Macauley wey dey link to Communist movement. That same year, he represent Sierra Leone Railway Workers’ Union for International Trade Union Committee of Negro Workers wey dem hold for Hamburg, use alias E. Richards. Dem elect am to de presidium plus he write for Negro Worker under anoda alias, Wal. Daniels. For there, he push labour rights plus self-organization. Because of ein role, colonial governments ban de publication.

By 1933, Wallace-Johnson join editorial board for Negro Worker, then go attend International Labor plus Defence Conference for Moscow. He talk say he study Marxist-Leninist theory there plus share room plus Jomo Kenyatta. Na there he meet pan-Africanist George Padmore, wey be Comintern-appointed coordinator for Communist activities among blacks. He return go Lagos, Nigeria insyd 1933, but dem deport am few months later because of ein trade union work.

When he reach Gold Coast, he turn political activist plus journalist, support Scottsboro case appeal fund plus push for workers’ compensation laws after de 1934 Prestea mining disaster. Ein pro-communist writings den de way he dey talk bad about capitalism make de Parliament of de United Kingdom pass 1939 Sedition Ordinance wey ban “seditious” literature — Negro Worker join. De Gold Coast Independent bash am say he dey scatter politics.

Wallace-Johnson also get tension relationship plus Edgar Parry ein Labour Movement.

Gold Coast politics

Wallace-Johnson enter Gold Coast on top invitation from R. B. Wuta-Ofei, editor of de Gold Coast Spectator, plus na there he get ein first taste of mass politics.

Plenty Gold Coasters write articles for Negro Worker, some too attend de First International Conference of Negro Workers. One important group of men wey get strong anticolonial fire meet for Joseph Ocquaye ein house — he be founder of private school wey dey Nsawam plus manager of Vox Populi newspaper. Dis men wey people respect well-well for dem communities be members of Aborigines Rights Protection Society — one political group wey be popular before. Dem wan either bring back de political weight of de society or build new group from ground. Dis team wey later become de Gold Coast chapter of de West African Youth League find new energetic leader insyd Wallace-Johnson.

Most of ein activities involve political agitation, as he start work plus de Gold Coast Drivers' Union, den begin drop articles for local newspapers like Gold Coast Spectator, Vox Populi plus Gold Coast Provincial Pioneer. He also support workers wey suffer injustice by prepare legal papers for dem cases. Overall, he try boost political expectations about people demma rights plus how dem fit take affect political decision-making. Through ein links insyd London, he arrange make left-wing Labour Party members wey support de cause ask questions for British Parliament about work conditions plus rights inside de colonies. Wallace-Johnson also bring new style of mass demonstrations, where members of de traditional elite no dey control African politics again. For Wallace-Johnson ein new mass meetings system, ordinary citizens fit talk demma political views loud. Dem no dull — dem bash colonial leaders plus de whole political system well. Dis idea give Wallace-Johnson plenty praise plus love.

He sanso start fund to support de legal team wey dey appeal de Scottsboro case wey happen for United States. Dis case, where nine young African-Americans get sentence of death for rape wey two white women later show say dem lie about, shock liberal plus radical political groups worldwide. De Communist Party start raise money for de appeal, use de case as example of injustice wey dey capitalist system. Wallace-Johnson use dis matter rally Gold Coasters make dem support demma brothers wey dey United States. He talk for public programs say black people no dey get fair treatment inside white people government. De colonial government wey know say Wallace-Johnson get strong political connections plus wey dem deport from Nigeria before, hold am for question but dem no arrest am. He use dis experience push ein agenda more inside one article wey show for "Negro Worker". He talk say "British imperialists plus white-washed missionaries" try block ein fundraising work.

He boost ein campaign for civil liberties plus better working conditions after June 1934 mining disaster for Prestea wey kill 41 people. That time, no law dey wey set conditions plus guidelines for workers' compensation. Mining companies get poor safety records den dem dey underpay families of miners wey injure or die on top work. Wallace-Johnson disguise like miner make he see de working conditions for ground. Ein experience give am small political power, wey he use convince colonial government plus de Colonial Office to pass law wey go improve working conditions plus increase workers' compensation. Miners plus relatives of de people wey die also protest for big meetings, plus liberal members of Parliament ask Conservative government how dem go take handle de matter.

Oda writings den Sedition Act

Apart from de articles wey Wallace-Johnson publish insyd Negro Worker plus other newspapers, he also write poetry plus essays. Plenty of ein writings don lost, but de ones wey still dey show ein deep thoughts. Most times, he describe de Soviet Union like place of freedom, while he show capitalist systems like de one for United States as corrupt. Ein two popular works, Das Sdrarstwuiet plus The Declaration of Capitalism, get published many times insyd Negro Worker plus plenty people for public receive am well. For Das Sdrarstwuiet, Wallace-Johnson praise de freedom wey citizens get for de Soviet Union, while for The Declaration of Capitalism, he describe de political oppression wey people face wey dey live insyd capitalist society.

Ein writings make am popular for Accra plus other big cities for Gold Coast. Colonial leaders start fear Wallace-Johnson ein support crowd, so dem pass law wey stop de importation of "dangerous" literature. Colonial governor Thomas Shenton W. Thomas bring sedition bill insyd 1934, say e be important to block seditious literature wey dey enter de colony. He talk say "[e]veryone know say some seditious organisations dey wey wan scatter law plus order. Dem organisations dey very active, den hardly any country for de world dey free from dem attack. Because of that, most countries see say dem need law to protect demselves from dis kind attack."

De kind literature wey dem call seditious include de Negro Worker, publications from International Committee of Negro Workers plus de League against Imperialism, and all de works wey George Padmore plus Nancy Cunard write. Dem attach one waterworks bill join de sedition legislation — dis one go put tax on Accra, Sekondi, plus Cape Coast municipalities. Dis bills make social elite vex, as dem no wan make dem freedom of speech plus expression chop limit, plus de lower-middle class too fight am, as dem don resist previous attempts to tax dem direct. Dem organise mass meetings, hold protests, pass resolutions, plus plan say make dem send delegation go England to talk de matter. But Wallace-Johnson advise de people make dem no send delegation go England. He believe say more results go come if people start grassroots movement — by organise protests plus demonstrations for demma own towns. Then, English people wey dey care about de colonies' problem fit put pressure on demma government make dem cancel de laws. Wallace-Johnson ein idea work: two Parliament members wey see de new laws as wahala question de colonial secretary about de Sedition Act.

West African Youth League

From September 1934, Wallace-Johnson turn target for hard-hitting articles wey Gold Coast Independent dey publish. One headline read "Meddlesome Wallace-Johnson Must Either Shut Up or Get Out: De Gold Coast Wants Helpers Not Rabid Confusionists." De person wey write de attack article — wey people believe be de editor — talk say make Wallace-Johnson go Liberia wey he fit turn president, or go Nigeria. He believe say if dem no block Wallace-Johnson ein actions, de "country plus ein vital interests go enter hopeless ruin." Shortly after, press war bust out between Gold Coast Independent plus two newspapers wey dey support Wallace-Johnson — de Gold Coast Spectator plus de Vox Populi. Wallace-Johnson get de final word as he publish group of articles for Vox Populi wey profile de conflict, call am "De Gold Coast Independent plus Myself". He sana work small time plus Friends of Ashanti Freedom Society — group of young educated men wey dey fight against restoring de Ashanti Empire. Dem believe say if empire come back, dem go lose voice for political decision-making. Wallace-Johnson take forward de group ein petition against restoration to de League against Imperialism, but de league no gree support dem. Later, he write pamphlet wey show say he support make dem restore de Ashanti Empire.

Insyd 1935, Wallace-Johnson meet Nnamdi Azikiwe, wey later turn nationalist President of Nigeria, for Accra. Azikiwe try keep ein self away from Wallace-Johnson ein Marxist ideologies, as he believe say ein own ideas no fit match plus ein colleague ein views. Both of dem believe say Africa need renaissance, but dem no agree on how to achieve am. Each one think say ein idea go win in de future. Azikiwe describe ein first meeting plus Wallace-Johnson like dis:

We exchange ideas den I talk say even though I feel say e go fit make Africans experience intellectual revolution for dis stage of development, any extreme or leftist idea go be risky, sake of how de masses no ready. He answer me say make I look Soviet Russia, where de people dey poor den no sabi book, yet when Lenin, Stalin den Trotsky shout de call; dem all gather round dem, den new order show. I warn am say ein comparison no correct, because Russia no be like West Africa; de political, social plus economic situations no be de same. He talk me straight say if Africans depend only on intellectuals or leaders wey dey talk plenty, dem no go pass de level of speakers den people wey dey pass resolutions. E need people wey go act — leaders of action — make dem enter de scene den prove say African get revolutionary spirit insyd. — Nnamdi Azikiwe, My Odyssey: An Autobiography (1970)

Start from ein speeches den activism, plus under Azikiwe ein influence, Wallace-Johnson form de West African Youth League (WAYL) for June 1935, den he turn first organising secretary. De league members choose de motto "Liberty or Death", wey worry colonial leaders. De manifesto wey de league use take heavy inspiration from Preamble of de United States Constitution: We de Youth of de Gold Coast (or whichever section dem go build) plus of West Africa in general, to form united body wey go watch careful den true, affairs political, educational, economical den any other thing wey concern de interest of de masses of de motherland, to sacrifice, if need be, all we get for de progress den liberty of our Country, plus Race, den to ensure happiness to we plus we future generation. WAYL suppose be one all-West African group — dem even plan to involve people from nearby French den Portuguese colonies — but de plan no happen. WAYL focus on political plus economic goals, wey if dem reach am, go give "standard of living worth humanity".

Start from ein speeches plus activities, den under Azikiwe ein influence, Wallace-Johnson form de West African Youth League (WAYL) for June 1935, plus dem make am de first organising secretary. De league members choose de motto “Liberty or Death”, wey cause worry among colonial leaders. De league ein manifesto take strong inspiration from de Preamble to de United States Constitution: We de Youth of de Gold Coast (or whichever section dem go build) plus of West Africa in general, to form united body wey go watch careful den true, affairs political, educational, economical plus any other thing wey dey for de interest of de masses of de motherland, to sacrifice, if need be, all we get for de progress plus liberty of our Country, plus Race, plus to ensure happiness to we plus we future generation. WAYL suppose be all-West African group — dem even plan to join people from nearby French plus Portuguese colonies — but dat plan no happen. WAYL focus on political plus economic goals, wey if dem reach am, go give “standard of living worth humanity”.

Demma biggest goal be to get parliamentary representation for de colonies for London, wey go give people stronger voice insyd government. Like how Aborigines Rights Protection Society den National Congress of British West Africa do before, WAYL also want protect natural plus constitutional rights, liberties plus privileges for African masses. But WAYL come more militant, push eager to lead West African people go “economic, social plus political emancipation”. As Wallace-Johnson write for Negro Worker, de league dey move “towards de establishing of a foundation for national independence”. Wallace-Johnson plus WAYL use Marxist phrase plus Christian ideas for dem political talk, but dem no gree European style Christianity wey some leaders use justify slavery plus colonialism. By 1936, WAYL don create 17 branches for big cities across de Gold Coast.

Insyd 1936, dem arrest Wallace-Johnson for sedition after he publish one article for African Morning Post wey bash Christianity, European civilisation plus imperialism. De colonial governor suggest say make dem deport am instead of take am go court. Wallace-Johnson agree, but de governor change ein mind then take am face trial for Assize Court. Wallace-Johnson later travel go London to appeal ein case plus build new links for WAYL.

WAYL enter de political scene by support Mambii Party plus demma candidate Kojo Thompson for de 1935 Legislative Council elections. After dat, Wallace-Johnson learn new political tactics. He begin bash de old school politicians, say dem no get what e take lead de new generation. He talk say “de work need new energy plus spirit. E need fresh ideas plus vision.” One of de rare times wey Azikiwe gree plus Wallace-Johnson, he support ein colleague ein statements wey appear inside African Morning Post. But de political big men fire back in one strong article wey appear for Gold Coast Independent, tell WAYL say freedom of opinion no mean person fit “go out of ein way insult, abuse, slander or libel anybody.” Wallace-Johnson chop more attack for de press; Gold Coast Independent call am “jobless extremist” plus say as foreigner, he no get right make he involve for Gold Coast elections. Insyd July 1935, de paper even talk say Wallace-Johnson be de reason wey dem pass de Sedition Bill — say dem introduce am just after he step foot inside de country.

Before de Legislative Council elections, de biggest wahala wey dey face WAYL plus Mambii Party be say plenty of dem supporters no get voting rights. De property plus literacy rules no worry de elite class, but dem be big block for Thompson ein supporters. To fix dis problem, de league use both legal plus illegal methods to make sure say ein people fit cast vote. One method be say dem give supporters wey no get suffrage fake town council receipts wey talk say dem fit vote. Dem also give dem campaign badge wey be for de rival candidate so dat election officers — wey no support Mambii Party plus WAYL — no go show dem any discrimination for polling station. After dem announce say Thompson win de election, de government people plus de social elite vex proper. F. V. Nanka-Bruce wey dey insyd de Legislative Council file petition against de election results, plus he win ein appeal one year later.

Insyd national politics, Wallace-Johnson plus de WAYL too get hand for push mine safety laws plus workers' compensation. Dem campaign make government cancel de Levy Bill plus de Kofi Sekyere Ordinance, plus other wahala laws. For international side, WAYL support causes wey liberal black plus white groups dey fight for — mostly for Great Britain. During de Second Italo-Abyssinian War wey happen from 1935 to 1936, WAYL grab de chance push attack against European imperialism, wey dem fit do without fear of sedition. Plus de Ex-Servicemen’s Association, WAYL form de Ethiopia Defense Committee. De goal be to teach de Gold Coast people about wetin Ethiopians dey suffer plus "matters of racial plus national importance" after de war end. But not long after, wahala start inside de league. Some members of de Ex-Servicemen’s Association talk say Wallace-Johnson take part of de money wey dem raise for Ethiopia Defense Fund. Wallace-Johnson resign sharp as organiser plus joint secretary of de fund. Later, he show proof say he no touch de fund money, as he no be de person wey handle de account. But still, some members no gree believe am.

WAYL lose support from Azikiwe, wey no dey happy again plus de league ein radical activities. As he refuse cover dem events for African Morning Post, Wallace-Johnson talk say make de league start dem own newspaper — call am The Dawn — to report dem activities, ideas plus goals. He believe say once The Dawn start to publish, de support wey dey drop go rise again. De first edition of de weekly paper come out 24 October 1936, but after dat e only dey come out small small because de league no get enough money to keep de paper running.

Mary Lokko work as Wallace-Johnson ein assistant start from 1936, wey make she likely be de first woman for West Africa wey hold position insyd political group.

Arrest den trial

By 1936, de league dey establish einself as a powerful force insyd de Gold Coast political scene. Colonial authorities den de elite class tried to find ways to get Wallace-Johnson out of local politics den possibly out of de country. Governor Arnold Weinholt Hodson write to de Colonial Office, asking for suggestions:

By 1936, de league don cement ein place as powerful force for Gold Coast politics. De colonial authorities plus elite class begin find ways make dem move Wallace-Johnson from local politics, even try make dem push am comot de country. Governor Arnold Weinholt Hodson write letter go Colonial Office, ask for advice:

I really wish say you fit bring idea wey go help me take clear Wallace Johnson. He dey work plus de Bolsheviks plus dey cause trouble by gather young men for ein "Youth League". He dey stay under de law — but just small. For plenty of ein meetings, he talk wild den criminal things but de law people tell me say e go hard catch conviction based on spoken word.

As de Colonial Office dey reason deportation, Wallace-Johnson write one article wey e call “Has de African a God?” inside African Morning Post. For de article, he bash Christianity, European civilisation plus imperialism, then tell Africans make dem return go worship Ethiopia ein God. On 6 June 1936, police arrest Wallace-Johnson plus Azikiwe — wey dem say de paper ein owner force print de article — for sedition. Negro Worker describe am as “another wicked plan wey aim to scatter de Youth League.” As he dey inside prison, dem tell Wallace-Johnson say Governor Hodson go drop de charges if he gree to terms wey go make dem deport am. Wallace-Johnson feel say de offer strange, so he ask why de governor wan make dat kind deal. Hodson talk say de government no get strong case plus dem dey fear de kind influence wey Wallace-Johnson plus WAYL get over de public. Wallace-Johnson finally gree after Hodson offer am £100, but he still worry say government fit set am up — arrest am again say he “run from justice” after dem release am. He tell de authorities make dem show good faith by releasing de person wey pay ein bail bond plus give am written statement say dem free am proper. Government no wan do am until Azikiwe remind dem say na dem start dis whole wahala with de deportation offer. Soon after, dem gree give Wallace-Johnson £50, promise say de rest go reach once he land for England.

As de Colonial Office dey reason deportation, Wallace-Johnson write one article wey e call “Has de African a God?” inside African Morning Post. For de article, he bash Christianity, European civilisation plus imperialism, then tell Africans make dem return go worship Ethiopia ein God. On 6 June 1936, police arrest Wallace-Johnson plus Azikiwe — wey dem say de paper ein owner force print de article — for sedition. Negro Worker describe am as “another wicked plan wey aim to scatter de Youth League.” As he dey inside prison, dem tell Wallace-Johnson say Governor Hodson go drop de charges if he gree to terms wey go make dem deport am. Wallace-Johnson feel say de offer strange, so he ask why de governor wan make dat kind deal. Hodson talk say de government no get strong case plus dem dey fear de kind influence wey Wallace-Johnson plus WAYL get over de public. Wallace-Johnson finally gree after Hodson offer am £100, but he still worry say government fit set am up — arrest am again say he “run from justice” after dem release am. He tell de authorities make dem show good faith by releasing de person wey pay ein bail bond plus give am written statement say dem free am proper. Government no wan do am until Azikiwe remind dem say na dem start dis whole wahala with de deportation offer. Soon after, dem gree give Wallace-Johnson £50, promise say de rest go reach once he land for England.

Through WAYL ein newspaper, de African Standard, Wallace-Johnson publish plenty articles wey bash top government officials well. Dem arrest am on 1 September 1939 under de Emergency Act wey dem bring in same day as World War II begin. Dem carry am go trial without jury — even though previous cases show say jury go support ein cause. Dem give am 12 months prison sentence. Dem hold am for Sherbro Island till dem release am for 1944.

Appeal insyd London

Wallace-Johnson travel go London insyd February 1937 to appeal ein case before de Privy Council plus to build contacts for WAYL. On de way, he first stop for Freetown to meet people wey wan start WAYL branch there. De Sierra Leone people show real interest, but dem talk say dem go wait make dem get copy of de league ein constitution before dem start de branch. Wallace-Johnson continue ein journey then stop for Paris, try meet de general secretary of de International Bureau of Youth. But de secretary no dey town, so Wallace-Johnson move on.

When he reach London, he begin plan ein next moves. Apart from presenting ein case to de Privy Council, Wallace-Johnson wan build lobby insyd England to fight for WAYL members plus push for inquiry commission into political, economic den educational matters for Gold Coast. He first reach out to Arnold Ward from Negro Welfare Association plus Reginald Bridgeman from League Against Imperialism — two strong contacts wey he link up with years before for Accra.

Ward plus Bridgeman try help push Wallace-Johnson ein goals for colonial reform. Dem use calm strategy, tell am say make he find support from Parliament members wey dey gree plus ein ideas, try again meet general secretary of de International Bureau of Youth, plus reach out to youth movement leaders for England. Wallace-Johnson jump inside action straight — he meet interest groups plus Labour Party politicians for daytime, then go deliver speeches for public gatherings plus rallies for night.

To build lobby for WAYL, Wallace-Johnson help form de International African Service Bureau (IASB) plus some top West Indian political plus intellectual heads like George Padmore, C. L. R. James, Chris Braithwaite, Amy Ashwood Garvey, Jomo Kenyatta plus T. Ras Makonnen. He become de bureau ein general secretary plus edit de paper wey dem call Africa and the World. He take dis new link between WAYL plus de bureau talk West African problems make British people hear. De bureau wey dey similar to WAYL in style plus structure, dey work to show public de sufferings wey dey West Africa plus create reforms plus freedoms wey go help de colonies. Dem sana wan make new West African trade unions link up plus de British labour movement. To push things more, de bureau dey hold weekly gatherings for Hyde Park — there dem discuss labour strikes for de Caribbean plus Ethiopia. Dem also send speakers to Labour Party branches, trade unions plus League of Nations Union, plus prepare questions wey go face Parliament about laws, work conditions plus trade union matters.

During dis time, WAYL start fall apart, as nobody fit lead de group like how Wallace-Johnson do. Membership begin drop, as employers plus government people dey threaten members say dem go sack dem or even beat dem. De acting organising secretary talk say e hard recover these members, because dem too depend on their bosses or de government. Reports show say for some branches, only five or six people dey show for meetings. As Wallace-Johnson no dey, ein political enemies spread plenty anti-WAYL propaganda. He wan return fast go Gold Coast make he revive de group, but he no get money to travel. De small money matter even affect ein work for London, but still he continue fight for Gold Coast citizens. Later, ein money palava bad so tey he no fit pay for bus or food, plus dem even evict am from ein room because he no pay rent. As pain hold am, Wallace-Johnson write for January 1938:

I think say I don try my best, but I no fit hold on again. I dey suffer just because I love my race plus people. Even though I ready to sacrifice my life for dem, I no ready make I die cold in another man country... I dey my last lap. If you no hear from me again, I don go... I no fit take dis stress again. I for go somewhere I fit live peaceful, or just comot from dis world.

He come decide go back Sierra Leone, after he resign as IASB organising secretary sake of accusation say he thief money. Bridgeman plus some of ein friends advise am say make he only go West Africa after dem present ein case before de Privy Council, plus dem even offer pay travel cost.

During dis period, Wallace-Johnson also write for Sylvia Pankhurst ein pan-Africanist weekly The New Times and Ethiopia News — wey dem later ban for Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone politics

Wallace-Johnson return go Freetown for April 1938 — he think say e go be short visit. Him plan be say make he go back England pack ein things then relocate go United States, where he no go "worry about Africa again as e clear say African people no ready to make move." He still dey vex about de political experience wey he face for Gold Coast plus even reason say he go pull hand from politics. But later he come realise say ein homeland Sierra Leone be perfect ground for de kind political ideas plus thinking wey he carry. De people for Sierra Leone — mostly de Krios — don lose trust in dem leaders plus British colonial authorities since 1920s. After de Great Depression, Sierra Leone experience small economic growth, but negative industrial plus social changes follow, wey make plenty working class Sierra Leoneans feel frustration den disappointment plus dem government. Dem dey hungry for change plus new leader — something wey Wallace-Johnson fit bring. He promise de same change for Gold Coast, but as people see am like outsider, ein success no be strong, plus he chop plenty misfortunes while he try spread ein ideas.

After Wallace-Johnson land for Freetown, customs agents seize 2,000 copies of African Sentinel, wey be publication wey government tag as seditious. Douglas James Jardine, wey be Governor of Sierra Leone, support de seizure plus write say “[i]t no be good make dat kind nonsense circulate among Sierra Leone people.” Even though Colonial Office no gree say African Sentinel fall under Sedition Ordinance, de matter cause big buzz plus make Wallace-Johnson decide say he go chase ein political mission proper for Sierra Leone. He begin go town meetings steady, where he dey give speeches wey bash government actions. For ein writings inside Sierra Leone Weekly News, he bash big politicians, hail de working class, plus call make people build alliance wey go stand strong for rights plus civil liberties.

Insyd no oda Colony inside West Africa I see de people suffer economic plus social yawa like dis. Instead of progress, after twelve years wey pass, I dey see things inside de colony dey spoil fast fast... As people, we don turn too lazy, sleepy plus carefree... De foreign exploiters — capitalist plus imperialist people together — get wide chance to enter our social space with divide-and-rule. As we dey chase shadow, dem [foreign invaders] dey busy drain our land demma natural resources for dem own gain, leave we for poverty plus suffering... Now na de time, now na de hour. Only one way dey make we comot from dis problem — make we organise plus move. Even though our so-called helpers talk say we for collect whatever we get plus manage, I go stand like [James] Aggrey wey talk say we no for dey satisfied with wetin dem dash we; instead, make we use wetin we get take chase wetin we suppose get. 

West African Youth League insyd Sierra Leone

Less than three weeks after he land, Wallace-Johnson open de first WAYL branch for Sierra Leone. De league blow like fire from start — e shock Wallace-Johnson self how e take grow quick. WAYL organise public gatherings, build de African Standard newspaper, form trade unions plus enter local elections. Ein program carry equality for women, unity for people of all tribes, better cooperation between de Sierra Leone colony plus protectorate, plus higher pay for workers. Wallace-Johnson claim say dem get 25,000 members inside de colony plus 17,000 for de protectorate — though Spitzer & Denzer 1973b talk say dis number fit be stretch. De Freetown chapter dey hold biweekly meetings for Wilberforce Memorial Hall, where Wallace-Johnson show ein oratory power plus call for massive support for WAYL initiatives. De government try downplay de WAYL ein popularity, say people only dey come meeting because de speeches dey “entertain”. But dem no dull — police spies dey monitor everything wey dey happen for de meetings.

According to Spitzer & Denzer 1973b, Wallace-Johnson ein success plus WAYL come from how he push strong militant efforts to talk and fight de economic, political plus social problems wey by de late 1930s dey disturb majority of de people. One reason wey people vex be how unemployment plus small wages no change even after dem find mineral riches inside Sierra Leone mines. Wallace-Johnson take advantage of dis feeling say expectations dey rise but real life condition no dey match am, then use am pull support for WAYL. He use him message bash mining companies — both government side and private — wey dey collect plenty money from de minerals but no dey care about how bad workers dey live or work. With de experience he get from Gold Coast labour movement, Wallace-Johnson help put together eight trade unions inside Sierra Leone: de Public Works Workers' Union, War Department Amalgamated Workers' Union, Mabella Coaling Company Workers' Union, King Tom Docks Workers' Union, All Seamen's Union, Bonthe Amalgamated Workers' Union, Pepel and Marampa Miners Workers' Union, and Motorists' Union. Each union aim to get better pay plus improved working conditions through collective bargaining.

Wallace-Johnson ein charisma plus how he no dey form make Sierra Leone people like am well. One time, he tell working class Creoles say, "I no be anything pass you people. I dey same level plus you." Even ein opponents gree say Wallace-Johnson get “strong personal magnetism wey attract de masses” wey be quality wey dem respect. According to Spitzer & Denzer 1973b, Wallace-Johnson ein strongest character be how he dey stubborn plus ready to challenge authority face-to-face. In public, he dey make fun of colonial officials wey plenty Sierra Leoneans dey fear. He dey call dem by first name freely plus bash dem with hot words wey Freetown society never hear before, where people dey expect politeness plus correct manners from leaders. Plus, de fact say he link up with England Parliament members help boost ein reputation.

Even though WAYL no be political party straight, dem still sponsor four candidates for local elections. WAYL be de first group wey bring issue-focused politics to Sierra Leone plus try involve protectorate people proper. Even as voting rules favour de rich Creole elite, all four candidates win — include Constance Cummings-John, wey be de first woman wey enter public office for British West Africa. De results shame de governor plus de big men, especially as e come right after some secret letters leak from de governor to Colonial Office wey show say he gree silently to de bad actions of de mining companies. WAYL ein newspaper, African Standard, take style from left-wing papers for UK, plus use am print news plus editorials wey top government people often call seditious.

Wallace-Johnson get arrest on 1 September 1939 — de same day wey World War II start. Before dat, de governor plus him legal team dey try find way to arrest am for criminal libel even though dem no get strong evidence. De Legislative Council pass six laws wey cut down civil liberties heavy. With de war emergency laws, dem fit arrest Wallace-Johnson without solid reason. Dem put am on trial without jury (wey mostly be WAYL supporters wey no go convict am), and sentence am to 12 months prison — dem carry am go Sherbro Island. Dem release am in 1944. When he return, he meet WAYL scatter — tribal plus regional matters dey rise instead of de unity wey he dey preach.

Insyd 1945, he attend World Trade Union Conference for London, then go Fifth Pan-African Congress for Manchester, represent Trade Union Congress plus West African Youth League. Other people wey attend include Lamina Sankoh, Harry Sawyerr for Sierra Leone side, plus big names like Hastings Banda, Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah.

Insyd 1950, Wallace-Johnson merge WAYL insyd de new National Council of de Colony of Sierra Leone. But he lef de group for 1954 to start de United Sierra Leone Progressive Party. He turn ein style to Pan-Africanist plus comot emphasis from ein former radicalism. He co-start de United National People's Party for 1956. UPP turn de official opposition insyd general election wey happen for 1957. Wallace-Johnson be delegate insyd de independence talks insyd London. He die plus car accident insyd Ghana for 10 May 1965. Ein wife die early 2008 insyd Freetown.

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