A focus on Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, National Head of COP Finland

Apostle Owusu Kwaah

 Today, I focus on Apostle Fran­cis Owusu Kwaah, the National Head of the Church of Pentecost (COP) in Finland,as I continue with my narration of personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.

The Church of Pentecost in Finland has made great contributions to the positive interactions among Ghanaian migrants in Finland and their integra­tion into the Finnish society.

Apostle Owusu Kwaah arrived in Finland on 22 November 2020 and took up the position as the National Head of COP in Finland, taking over from Apostle Edmund Appiah whothen moved to the UK.

Assumption of duty

Having assumed office as the Na­tional Head of COP Finland, Apostle Owusu Kwaah hasundoubtedly con­tinued with work for the growth of the church.He has respectfully held the position and has been leading the church in great strides.

Indeed, the COP Finland has played a prominent role in the religious or spiritual existence of its members, as well as in people’s social lives as a key aspect of integration into the Finnish society.

The Church in Finland was estab­lished over 20 years ago, havingbeen started in September 2000 as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfin­land.fi).

Achievements as Head of COP Fin­land

There is no denying the fact that under Apostle Owusu Kwaah as the National Head of COP Finland, the church has continued to chalk sig­nificant progress, as started under Apostle Kwaah’s predecessor, Apostle Appiah.

The COP has seen significant growth, including re-organising the Vaasa branch of the church, while other branches were opened in Turku and Tampere. A nursery assembly was also started in Oulu.

An innovative Online Church was also established during the Covid-19 period. Thisenabled members of the church to still worship (especially on Sundays) in view of the lockdowns, while the online church service also catered especially for people scat­tered around Finland.

As mentioned earlier, all achieve­ments have continued under Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah after he took over from Apostle Appiah.Like his predecessor Apostle Appiah, Apostle Owusu Kwaah has made many innova­tive moves, as he continues with the achievements begun by his predeces­sor.

Today, under Apostle Owusu Kwaah, a youth branch of COP has recently been established in Espoo, a part of the greater Helsinki region in Finland. New branches of the church have also been opened in Kuopio and Joensuu, both of which are cities in eastern Finland.

The COP Finland continues to grow under Apostle Ow­usu Kwaah’s min­istration. He has also spearheaded the establishment of an innovative online prayer session, called “Prayer Clinic”, every Saturday morning which is open to every­one irrespective of their religious background and who wants to be in the presence of God.

New Deacons, Deaconesses, and Elders have recently been ap­pointed to take up leadership roles in various aspects in the many branches of the church.

The future of COP in Finland

During my interview with Apostle Owusu Kwaah, I got a very positive impression about his vision for the growth and development of COP in Finland.

Indeed there is no doubt that Apos­tle Owusu Kwaah is optimistic and has a very positive view of the Church and the future of COP in Finland.

The Apostle is thankful to the many people whose support and encourage­ment has undoubtedly helped in his religious work for the church and its growth in Finland.

Role in the Ghanaian community

COP Finland has been one of the major channels through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for Ghanaian migrants in Finland, has made more contacts with members of the Ghanaian communi­ty. It is one of the major Pentecostal or Charismatic churches dominated by Ghanaian migrants and which has been of immense benefit to GUF.

Previously, before the Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 and its attendant restrictions, newly-elected executives of GUF got the chance to introduce themselves to other Gha­naian migrants by visiting them at church sessions. This boosted easy interaction.

Moreover, the church in Helsinki has the Akan Assembly where worship is done mainly in the Twi language, and the English Assembly (or the PIWC) attended by other nationalities and African migrants aside Ghanaian mi­grants. Thank you!

Email: perpetual.crentsil@yahoo.com

By Perpetual Crentsil