Dr Anney was the UDASA Chairperson from 2015 to 2016. Before the end of the 2014 to 2016 leadership term, the then UDASA Chairperson Prof Kitila Mkumbo went on sabbatical leave in 2015. In observing the dispensation of the UDASA constitution in the execution of leadership responsibilities, the UDASA General Assembly promoted Dr Anney, who was then the UDASA Vice-Chairperson, to be the chairperson. Therefore, Dr Anney assumed the chairmanship responsibilities from December 2015 to June 2016, when he was appointed a district commissioner for Musoma District by HE President Dr John Pombe Magufuli. Earlier from 2008 to 2010, he was also the UDASA Deputy Secretary-General.

Dr Anney has a PhD in Education from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, and a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Education Science, both from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is a trained teacher and before joining the University of Dar es Salaam he had taught secondary schools for several years after obtaining a Diploma in Education from the then Dar es Salaam College of Education in 1998. Before his current appointment, he was a Lecturer in the Department of Education Psychology and Curriculum Studies at the UDSM School of Education.

He researched and produce several journal articles in areas such as curriculum development, pedagogical content in knowledge in science subjects, and qualitative research methodologies. While at UDSoL, Dr Anney was teaching several courses from undergraduate to PhD level particularly, measurement and evaluation, research methods, and curriculum.