Neenyi Ghartey VII

The Effutu Oma Odefe, Neenyi, Ghartey VII was known in private life as Daniel Kobena Bortse Ghartey. He was born on 3rd April, 1956 to two natives of the Effutu Simpa State - Mr. Dolphin Kobena Ghartey and Madam Ekua Esaaba, both of blessed memory.

Education

Kobena Ghartey as he was affectionately called started his basic education at the Winneba Urban Council Primary School near Ahenfie. Neenyi Ghartey VII continued with the middle school at the Methodist Middle Boys School from 1967 to 1970. As a result of the hard work he adopted in his studies, he got enrolled at the Accra Academy Secondary School, where he successfully completed the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (GCE O’Level) in 1975. He also got enrolled at the Winneba Secondary School, where he completed the General Certificate of Education Advance Level in 1977. He furthered his education at the premier University of Ghana, Legon, where he was awarded with the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with Honours in Animal Science in 1980. In pursuance of his career path, he was privileged to earn a Commonwealth scholarship through the Ministry of Agriculture. With the scholarship, he got enrolled at the Central Poultry Training Institute, Hesaraghatta in India in 1988. There he obtained an advanced knowledge into Poultry Nutrition and Feeding. In 1989, he attended the Ruppin Institute of Agriculture, Emek Hefer in Israel for a course in Farm management, Planning and Extension. His zeal for academic excellence again, made him enroll at the University of Cape Coast in August 2009 to pursue a Post Graduate program. In 2012, Neenyi Ghartey VII was awarded a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies.

Career and Working Life

From humble beginnings, he taught Science and Mathematics in his Alma Mata - Winneba Secondary School, the Adisadel College and Wesley Girls High School in the Central Region. He later assisted in the resettlement of retrenched personnel of the Ghana Civil Service during the 1984 retrenchment exercise and also the returnees from Nigeria in the era of the erstwhile Defense Committee under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government.

He was appointed the Projects and Programmes Officer to the Defense Committees within the Gomoa/Awutu/Effutu/Senya District in 1983. His dedication and passion for the work and responsibilities assigned to him warmed the hearts of individuals to settle as farmers in the district. In spite of his service in the government of the day, he still loved his profession and therefore decided to return to the field in 1984, where he was posted to the Department of Animal Husbandry in Tarkwa and later transferred to Half Assini, all as serving as the District Officer. Whilst in Tarkwa, he doubled as the Farm Manager of the Samahu Livestock Station. He technically assisted all farmers including the World Vision International Community Development Programmes to rear animals and raise funds for community development bringing to bear the experiences from his foreign professional training both in India and Israel.

His Reign

Upon his return home from his last of such training abroad, his capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of heading the Effutu Community was identified by the Elders and Kingmakers of the Otuano Royal Stool House in Effutu (Winneba). He became the preferred choice and next to be crowned after the passing on of Neenyi Ghartey VI. The Elders and Kingmakers then nominated and enstooled him as the 16th King on the Otuano Royal Black Stool as the Effutu Oma Odefe of the Effutu Traditional Area on 20th January, 1996. He became a member of the Central Regional House of Chiefs after his coronation. From 2004 to 2008, he served as the Central Region Representative at the National House of Chiefs. Neenyi Ghartey VII, has served the people of Effutu and has moved Effutu and its environs from its chaotic moments to a more serene community. He has served the Effutu State, the Central Region and the nation Ghana on various levels such as being member of committee on land, health and population issues. His services also earned him two full terms with the University of Education, Winneba as a member of the Governing Council from 2017 – 2021.

Awards, Honours and Achievements

• He collaborated with Mrs. Iris Bannister to provide the first Dental Chair to the Winneba Government hospital for the dental health needs of the people
• He established a sister-city relationship with the cities of Birmingham and Charlottesville in the United States of America from which enormous facilities have been provided, via educational, health and security agencies in Winneba
• As the Chief Patron for Effutu Youth Development Association, he played a key role in sourcing for funding in support of the Winneba library building

Through the Effutu Youth Development Association, Neeyi Ghartey VII approached the UNDP that collaborated with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to secure funding from the Norwegian Fund for Consultancy Services and Programme Activities to fund the Winneba Catch Handling Improving Study by SINTEF Fisheries and Acquaculture, of Norway. The project report in 2000 has become the template for the now completed safe landing beach in Winneba and elsewhere in Ghana. The University of Education, Winneba, has today, found Neenyi Ghartey VII worthy in the service of humanity, and has therefore appointed him as its CHANCELLOR.