News
Valley University founder, Prof. Nortey goes home tomorrow
The final funeral rites of Pastor Professor Jacob Jonas Nii Klu Nortey, the founder of Valley View University will be held tomorrow at the campus of the University.
The late Nii Klu, 84 died in Accra after a short illness.
He was a Christian Church finance educationist who rose through the ranks to be a Vice President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church worldwide.
Pastor Nortey was born at Abokobi to a father from Osu and a mother from the Abokobi royal family. He started his highly illustrious education at the Abokobi Presbyterian school and finally became a Reverend Professor of the SDA Church at the end of his life.
Professor Nortey was a pioneer, door opener extraordinaire; his life was characterized by a burning desire to inspire others with his highly spirited energy of achieving their goals in life.
In that, he was a forerunner who allowed others the opportunities to rise to laurel positions by improving their innate abilities and natural talents. In a word, Pastor Nortey aspired to inspire others to follow Jesus Christ as he came to know him in 1959, which was the seminal turning point in hi life.
That was when he became a Seventh Day Adventist at the Elder E.E. Cleveland Crusade in Accra. And that was the beginning of his journey with Christ, which include his immense contribution to spiritual development and academic excellence in Christian education in universities in Africa and the United Sates.
Pastor Nortey was the dreamer and foster parent of the Valley View University at Oyibi, Accra. That was during his term as the first black President of the SDA Church for Africa/India Ocean.
Indeed, it was through his resolute resilience and solicitous insistence of achieving academic greatness for the youth of Ghana that the Valley View University was cited between Oyibi, mainly because of its close proximity to the University of Ghana, Legon.
Afterwards, he became an adjunct lecturer at Valley View University and many universities across the world. Lately, Pastor Nortey was the ex-President of Datalink University in Tema.
Pastor was married to Ghana’s first female Hematologist, Thelma Naa Kreshie Temley Nartey, my aunt, who was also the first woman to head the National Blood Bank System in Ghana. She hailed from the Gbese Kreshie Abodiamo We and the Obono Wem Prampram Royal Stool. She died in July 2021.
Uncle Jack, as he was popularly called by many, was the god-parent to Honorable Dr Alfred Nii Oko Vanderpuije, MP (former Accra Mayor, MP Ablekuma Central) Pastor Professor Seth Nii Aban Laryea, (Ex Vice Chancellor Valley View University), Dr Moses Tawiah Adoko, (Chief Knowledge Officer of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, and a Professor of Aerospace Complex Systems) nephew, and many others, such as I, Venerable Dr Nii Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey (Community Support Specialist/Bíblical Psychologist).
Many benefitted from the J.J Nortey Education Trust Funds for tertiary/Christian Education at home in Ghana and abroad.
Caption: The late Prof. Nortey
News
Oguaa goes gay with Fetu Afahye
The ancient city of Cape Coast, one of Ghana’s historical cities, witnessed a showcase of the rich cultural heritage of the Oguaa people with an exciting, colourful, and traditional event to mark the celebration of the 61st annual Fetu Afahye.
Themed “Innovate to elevate: Harnessing the creative economy for sustainable growth”, the festival featured a vibrant lineup of events, interspersed with several cultural performances showcasing the traditions which depict the traditional, historical and ancestral heritage of the land.
It witnessed a colourful procession of chiefs and various Asafo companies from the Mfantsipim School junction through the principal streets of the town to the Jubilee Park, accompanied by drumming and traditional dances.
The chiefs and members of the asafo companies were adorned in regal attire symbolising the pride and unity of the community.
Fetu Afahye demonstrates Oguaa’s resilience, unity, and cultural pride as the town welcomed indigenes both within and outside, as well as people from far and near, desirous of participating in the festival.
Various public spaces, including eateries and pubs, attracted patrons, and streets within the town witnessed bustling events with music blaring from the loudspeakers that had been placed by the roadside.
Bakatue
Prior to the durbar was the Bakatue regatta, a canoe race on the Fosu Lagoon, organised by ATL, a campus-based radio station located within the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in collaboration with the Oguaa Traditional Council.
The event saw a thrilling spectacle as the three Asafo companies, Nkum No. 4, Bentsir No. 1, and Anaafo No. 2, battled aggressively on the Fosu Lagoon. Nkum No. 4 earned nine points to clinch the trophy, medals, and a cash prize. They were followed by Anaafo No. 2 with five points, while Bentsir No. 1 finished third with four points.
Orange Friday
Friday witnessed what has come to be known as the biggest street carnival in Ghana, known as ‘Orange Friday.’
It drew hundreds of people across the country. Clad in orange attires, the patrons gathered and moved through the streets of the town, creating a gridlock.
The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osaberimba Kwesi Atta II, at the durbar of chiefs to climax the festival acknowledged the unifying factor in relation to culture among Africans and stated the need for Africans to take their destinies into their own hands.
He explained that festivals such as Fetu Afahye offer an opportunity for Africans to remind themselves of the future by working hard and embrace the future in order not to be taken by events.
The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, in a speech read on her behalf, noted that the festival was far more than a ritual or an annual duty, saying, “It is an affirmation of an identity, a homecoming and a powerful testimony to the wisdom and fortitude of our forebears”.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, the Olu of Warri State in Nigeria, Ogiame Atuwatse III, indicated that, the only thing holding Africans back was Africans themselves, which he said, was in the area of an African identity, and acting on that identity.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast
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News
Chief Imam issues disclaimer on unauthorised petitions
The Office of the National Chief Imam has warned Muslim organizations and individuals against issuing statements and petitions to the Government in his name without permission.
In a statement, the Chief Imam said he had observed that some groups had been circulating petitions, including a recent one on Hajj, using his name without authorization.
He stressed that such actions were unlawful and cautioned those involved to stop or face the law.
The Chief Imam reminded the public that on October 4, 2022, he, together with the National Imams of all Muslim sects, signed a deed and presented it to the Government at the Jubilee House.
The agreement recognised the National Muslim Conference of Ghana as the official body representing Muslims in their dealings with state institutions.
He urged that any petitions meant to be sent to the Government in his name should go through the National Muslim Conference of Ghana with the approval of the Advisory Board of his office.
By: Jacob Aggrey
