King Ghartey IV

King Ghartey IV (born Kwamena Akyempong; 1820–1897) was the king of Winneba, enstooled in 1872. He became king after the death of King Henry Acqual, alias Kwesi Eguasi. He was the first President of the Fante confederation. He was a politician, author, entrepreneur, statesman, innovator and philanthropist. He was a leading figure in the business transactions which flowed from the Gold Coast to Britain to France. He was succeeded by King Kodwo Abeka (George Acquah Robertson).
Biography.
He was born in 1820 at Winneba and named Kwamena Akyempong. His parents are King Gyateh Kumah III and Obaapanyin Ekua Kaadze, who was a princess of Senya Beraku. During his career, Mynheer Stooves gave him the name Robert Johnson Ghartey due to his intelligence and his father's name " Gyatey(Tiger)" was anglicized to "Ghartey". His wife was Sarah Efuwa Betse Ghartey. He did not have any formal education. He was able to read and write by reading books given to him by Mynheer Stooves. Through this, he was able to speak English, Dutch and Portuguese. He was very religious. He died on July 30, 1897.
Career.
As a young boy living in a fishing community, he worked as a fisherman. Afterwards, he worked as a cooper in the factory of Stooves at Apam.Later, he was transferred to Elmina and then to Shama where he worked for 14years. He established his personal enterprise at Anomabu which he named Ghartey Bros. He worked with the European firm at Winneba. In 1867, he was appointed treasurer then later, a magistrate for the town court by King Kofie Afedsi and the chiefs of Anomabu.