In what ways did colonial rule contribute to the decline of the powers of the traditional rulers in West Africa?

Colonial rule
contributed to the decline of the powers of the

traditional rulers in West Africa through the
following ways.

• Colonial rule led to
  breakdown of the existing Sinks between the traditional
  rulers and their subjects, making the former mere appendages of
  alien government.
• The introduction of wage earning for working
  subjects by colonial  government 
  gave  the  subjects  
  economic independence from the traditional
  rulers.
• The influence of western education resulted in the
  breaking down of traditional norms and values
  of society e.g. paying of homage and respect for the traditional
  rulers.
• The influence of foreign religion scaled down the
  power of the traditional rulers as the spiritual authority of their people.
• The establishment of law courts by the
  colonialists eroded judicial power of traditional rulers.
• The setting up of legislative council by the
  colonial authority reduced the law making functions of
  traditional rulers. 
• The introduction of native or local
  authorities which took over the traditional
  rulers absolute control over taxation and its disbursement.  
• The use of forced labour and conscription
  by the colonial authority
  reduced the popularity of the traditional rulers.
•  The colonial Governors was vested with
  appointment and removal of
  traditional rulers reduced the prestige of traditional rulers and
  misdirected their loyality.  
• The
  stoppage of inter-tribal war put to an end the means by which traditional
  rulers accumulated wealth.