Neenyi Ghartey VII is Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area
The Effutu Traditional Council has strongly condemned the vilification of Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament of Effutu and Minority Leader in Parliament.
The council’s condemnation comes after Afenyo-Markin was criticised for allegedly being given land by the Effutu Paramountcy for development.
Neenyi Ghartey VII, Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, expressed disappointment at the level of vilification Afenyo-Markin has faced, stating that it is malicious and based on falsehoods.
He questioned why Afenyo-Markin, a son of the land, cannot be given land for development when people from other parts of the country and foreign nationals have been allocated land without the Effutu Paramountcy’s involvement.
The Omanhene emphasised that the Effutu Traditional Council has been advocating for the development of Winneba, including the establishment of hotels and estates, to create jobs and improve the local economy.
He noted that the council has been working to promote the progressive development of the Effutu State, but their efforts have been hindered by malcontents and those who have hatred for the state’s development.
Afenyo-Markin has faced criticisms in the past, with some accusing him of misconduct. However, the Effutu Traditional Council’s condemnation of his vilification suggests that they believe he has been unfairly targeted.
“It is also a known fact that the CPP government led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory vested our lands which is the Effutu Stool Land because of its inability to contain the spate of conflict between our two paramountcies Effutu and Gomoa Ajumako. We state without any reservations that since then the Lands Commission has exercised the sole prerogative to alienate parcels of land within our enclave without recourse to the Effutu Paramountcy under the enactment; EI 206 of 1961. The terms of the lease is always assigned on the title deed and we feel ashamed at the turn of events.
“The level of vilification of the Effutu Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Osahen Afenyo-Markin based on falsehoods and reckless allegations is malicious and is condemned by the Effutu Traditional Council. If natives from other jurisdictions in this country and foreign nationals can take more that 50 acres of land for development for which the Effutu Paramountcy had no hand in the alienation of such properties, why not a son of the land. We are appealing to officials of state to recognise the fact that per the Vested Accent, government tied the lands of the occupant of the Effutu Stool and allowed its officials to dictate terms of land alienation to us. Effutu must be allowed to enjoy its peace and the Ghanaian public spared of this misrepresentation, dishonest appraisal of another stateman,” the statement read by Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, during the launch of the Aboakyer Festival 2025, said.
The council’s statement has sparked a debate about the development of the Effutu State and the role of traditional leaders in promoting progress.
As the controversy surrounding Afenyo-Markin continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below: