Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Effutu Oma Odefe (Paramount Chief), has celebrated his 70th birthday with regal splendour and national admiration.
The revered monarch was born to two natives of the Effutu Simpa State-Mr Dolphin Kobina Ghartey and Madam Ekua Esaaba- both of blessed memory.
He was on Tuesday, April 3, 1956, in Winneba.
He was named Daniel Kobina Bortse Ghartey in private life.
Neenyi Ghartey upon his return home from his last training abroad, he was given the mandate to shoulder the responsibilities of heading the Effutu Community after being identified by the Elders and Kingmakers of the Otuano Royal Stool House in Winneba.
He was crowned after the passing on of his uncle, Neenyi Ghartey VI to become the 16th King of the Effutu Traditional Area on Saturday, January 20th, 1996, at the age of 40, succeeding his uncle.
Since his enstoolment, he has been a symbol of stability, tradition and leadership, fulfilling his oath to guide the Effutu State with wisdom and cohesion.
He has been instrumental in the peace Effutu and its environs enjoy till today.
Neenyi Ghartey, is a member of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and has served as the Region’s Representative at the National House of Chiefs and has also served the country on various levels as a member of committees 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 to 2021 and is the Chancellor currently.
Through his efforts, a sister-city relationship was established with the cities of Birmingham in the UK 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, Neenyi Ghartey played a key role in sourcing for funding in support of the Winneba library project.
He also approached the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which collaborated with the United Nations Office for Project Services 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 Aquaculture of Norway.
The project report in 2000 has become the template for the completed safe landing beach in Winneba and elsewhere in Ghana.
Neenyi Ghartey in a speech, thanked the Almighty God for His protection and expressed his appreciation to all who rallied behind him through thick and thin.
He recalled the lessons he learnt from the challenges and embarrassment he experienced from people who opposed his installation, saying he prayed to the Almighty God for his guidance, strength, protection and wisdom to administer the affairs of the area, during those trying moments.
He pledged to continue to be patient in executing his vision to better the lots of all persons living in area and urged all citizens to use their expertise to support him to develop the area.
Neenyi Ghartey said prayer had been his hallmark and he would continue to pray for God’s blessings on the Effutu State and Ghana in general.
Among institutions who presented goodwill messages was the University of Education, Winneba led by Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice Chancellor.
Later in an interview with Ghana News Agency, Neenyi Kwame Otu, a family head in Winneba and a member of the Otuano Royal Family praised God for all the good things he has done for Effutu Oma under the leadership of Neenyi Ghartey VII.
He prayed to God to continue to grant Neenyi Ghartey the fortitude to administer the affairs of the area which was formerly marked as one of the chieftaincy conflict zones and hot spots of disturbances in the country.
Mr Joe Ghartey, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and a former Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan in Western Region chaired the ceremony.
Source: GNA
