Professor Jacob Jonas Nii Klu Nortey, the late founder of Valley View University (VVU) in Ghana, West Africa, was a pioneering force in furthering spiritual growth and academic excellence. Born in Abokobi in 1939, Nortey became a Seventh-day Adventist after a seminal moment at a 1959 crusade.
This launched a lifetime of advancing Christian education, culminating with his groundbreaking appointment as the first Black president of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church’s Africa and Indian Ocean region. Nortey passed away peacefully on September 11, 2023, at age 84.
Establishing Valley View University
During his pioneering SDA leadership term, Pastor Nortey tirelessly pursued his vision of fostering academic greatness for Ghana’s youth. This led him to establish VVU near the University of Ghana-Legon in 1997.
Today VVU thrives as a premier SDA institution and living testament to its founder’s aspiration of providing youth with a springboard to achieve their potential. Nortey’s godson, former Accra Mayor Alfred Vanderpuije, in Ghana, attests to this drive to elevate others.
Enduring Legacy Through Education
Even after retiring as the SDA Director of Church Finance and Administration, Pastor Nortey continued lecturing worldwide. His enduring passion for education saw him serving as ex-president of Datalink University in Tema until recently.
The J.J. Nortey Education Trust Fund fuels his empowering legacy, having supported many Ghanaians and diaspora members pursuing higher education. Beneficiaries include renowned figures like VVU Vice-Chancellor Professor Seth Laryea and NASA executive Dr. Moses Adoko.
Nortey’s funeral at VVU celebrated his trailblazing spiritual and academic legacy. VVU stands as a monument to his vision and perseverance in uplifting Ghanaian youth.
