Features
Remembering Sir Willie, a versatile elder in the Ghanaian community in Finland
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• Sir Solomon Wilberforce Owusu Essandor
On Saturday, September 3, 2022, the funeral of Sir Solomon Wilberforce Owusu Essandor will take place in Helsinki, Finland.
He died at a hospital in Finland on May 17, 2021, after a short illness and was buried in June the same year. However, largely due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time, his funeral rites could not follow soon after.
Degrees and expertise
Born in January 1955, Sir Willie, as he was affectionately called after he received a Finnish State Award, came to Finland in 1989 and studied Political Science at the Helsinki University. He had two Master’s degrees (VTM) in International Politics and also in International Law.
As a student, he was appointed to the Helsinki University’s Senate Board for International Affairs where he represented the interests of international students. He had obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the Webster University, Geneva, Switzerland from 1985-1987.
Sir Willie was an expert in immigration, human rights, human resources management, sourcing, refugees and Trade Union issues. Indeed, he was so versatile and had immense knowledge and experience only a few could match.
He had a deep knowledge of the Finnish educational system, which he greatly admired.
Working life and achievements
After his studies, Sir Willie worked as a sorter at Finland’s Post Corporation (then known as Itella Corporation) in Helsinki.
He rose to the position of Human Resources Manager (HR Manager). It was a feat seldom achieved by immigrants in Finland.
Wilberforce was given, among other duties, the task of developing a multicultural policy for the company due to the increasing number of immigrant workers then employed at Itella.
Honoured
He received a prestigious award, the Order of the White Rose of Finland, from the Finnish State during the Independence Day celebration of Finland on December 6, 2005, and thus joined the exclusive family of Finnish Knights (Ritarit).
He was one of eight recipients of the award, not only based on their services in the Post Corporation but also on their versatility in different areas of expertise in the Finnish society.
Sir Wilberforce Essandor was, indeed, a champion of multiculturalism both in Finland and across Europe by speaking and teaching at different conferences to promote equality and diversity at the workplace and elsewhere.
Very active in the Ghanaian community
Sir Willie was a founding member of the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), established as a non-governmental organisation in Finland in 1992. He was the President of the organisation from 1992-1994 when it was known as the National Union of Ghanaian Residents in Finland (NUGRIF).
He was a big pillar who played a pivotal role in the many seminars, symposia and other educational events as well as social activities organised by the Union. His wide knowledge and experience has been of immense benefit to the Union and other associations.
Until his demise, Sir Willie was one of the Union’s two Patrons. He was a member of the Union’s Electoral Commission.
In addition, he was a founding member of the Mfantseman Kuw of Finland, which, among other things, stood to bring unity and promote integration in the Finnish society.
A father-figure, a gem
Sir Willie was a father not only to his five biological children—Nana Yaa, Maa Adwoa, Olivia, Emil/Joojo, and Evelyn—but also to many others, as well as being a grandfather to many more and not just the nine grandchildren in his family.
He was one of the few ‘Elders who performed the Ghanaian/traditional naming of a newborn baby. A father, uncle, brother, and a great friend he was to many Ghanaian and African migrants in Finland as well as Finnish friends who equally acknowledged him as someone they could easily relate with.
Sir Willie was a gem, a very peaceful, humble, friendly and affable man who gave immense support to many people. He readily shared his knowledge and experience with others, and was simply a beloved elder “statesman” in the entire Ghanaian migrant community, something that is, indeed, worthy of emulation.
At Christmas celebrations by Ghanaians here, Sir Willie played the Santa Claus, which is very important since it originates from Finland.
A chip of the old block
Sir Willie was active in politics in Finland. On a few occasions, he stood for the Municipal elections although he did not win. It was, therefore, a big consolation and a clear indication of a chip of the old block when his second daughter (Mrs Adwoa Brewu) was voted a Deputy Councillor in the Finnish Municipal elections a few weeks after his demise.
Sir Willie has left a legacy and an impact we will strive to emulate and protect as immigrants in Finland. May he continue to rest peacefully in the Lord till we meet again! Amen!
By Perpetual Crentsil
The writer is a Ghanaian
lecturer at the University of
Helsinki, Finland
On Sunday, August 13, 2026, the Church of Pentecost (COP) International, Finland, held an impressive church service in Helsinki in honour of and to welcome Prophet Benjamin Arthur as the new National Head.
The well-attended service formally ushered in Prophet Arthur who takes over from Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, who has been the National Head since November 2020 and whose tenure as the National Head ended last month.
Prophet Arthur arrived in Finland from the UK where he has held many positions in the church to replace Apostle Owusu Kwaah who moves back to the UK.
A touching welcome and powerful ministration
The church service was officiated by Apostle Seth Samuel Asante, the National Head of the Church of Pentecost, USA.
It was a touching welcome church service and ministration at a well-attended event. In attendance were many religious leaders from other churches or missions, as well as dignitaries.
Apostle Asante had the honour to introduce Prophet Arthur to the whole congregation as the new National Head in Finland. He was joined by other church leaders and officers from UK, USA, and Finland to pray for Prophet Arthur and handed him over to COP Finland as their new National Head to a huge applause.
Earlier, Apostle Asante delivered a powerful and touching sermon that highlighted a message of salvation and the importance of knowing, loving and serving God with one’s whole heart. He entreated the audience to love God and do His work to glorify his name.
Stirring up understandings from the hymns: “My faith has found a resting place…” and “Guide me O Thou great Jehovah…,” as well as a number of quotations from the Bible, the Apostle gave a powerful preaching on the need to build one’s faith in God.
Response from the new National Head
In response, Prophet Benjamin Arthur preached the power of prophecies and God’s plan for redemption. He entreated all to believe in God’s power especially through prophecies to save mankind. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, he noted and add: “The blood of Jesus is not shed in vain”.
Surrounded by his beloved wife, Mrs Eugenia Arthur, and their three children, Prophet Arthur expressed gratitude to the members of the church for the resounding welcome they have accorded him as he starts to embark on his role and duty as the National Head.
He recognised the exploits and excellent leadership roles of his predecessors, Apostle Edmund Appiah (who was the first National Head) and Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah.
COP’s future and growth in Finland
The Church of Pentecost in Finland was established over 25 years ago. It started in September 2000 as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfinland.fi).
The group grew fast and there was the need to secure a new place of worship in the Helsinki area. The Church has grown and spread to other towns and cities in Finland.
Today, in Helsinki alone there are two branches of the Church. There is the Akan Assembly where worship is done mostly in the Twi language. The other branch is the English Assembly (or the PIWC) which is attended by other nationalities and African immigrants aside Ghanaian immigrants.
The COP Finland has become very formidable in the religious space in the Ghanaian community in Finland.
It has thus 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 continues to grow and, for example, it has been one of the major channels through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for Ghanaian immigrants in Finland, has made more contacts with members of the Ghanaian immigrant community.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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Features
Responding to religious insults with faith, wisdom and restraint …The Prophetic Model for Muslim–Christian Peace and Coexistence(Part 1)
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds.
May His Peace and Blessings be Upon the Noble Prophet Mohammed, his household, companions and all righteous people till the Last Day. Ameen
GHANA, WE MUST NOT ALLOW A MOMENT OF ANGER TO DESTROY DECADES OF PEACE
My dear brothers and sisters in Ghana.
Today I speak about something that should concern every Muslim, every Christian and every responsible Ghanaian.
Recent events involving controversial statements about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the arrest of an Islamic cleric accused of making statements advocating violence, and the arrest of a Christian preacher over alleged derogatory comments concerning the Prophet (pbuh) have generated considerable national concern. The Ghana Police Service has said the matters are under investigation and that due process will apply.
And now, reports of an alleged assault on a detained pastor have added another troubling dimension to the matter.
Let us be very clear:
Ghana is not at war.
Muslims are not at war with Christians.
2 | P a g e
Christians are not at war with Muslims.
For generations, we have lived together, traded together, worked together, attended the same schools, built communities together and, in many Ghanaian families, even married across religious lines.
Therefore, we must not allow the reckless words or actions of a few individuals to destroy the peace built by generations.
WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET (PBUH), WHAT DOES ISLAM EXPECT
FROM ME?
This is the question we must answer.
Not: “How angry am I?”
But: “What does Allah require from me?”
Not: “What can I do to my enemy?”
But: “What did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) do when his enemies hurt him?”
This distinction is crucial.
Islam does not teach us to abandon our faith when we are provoked.
Islam teaches us how to behave because we have faith.
Allah says:
“Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8).
Notice the greatness of Islam.
Allah does not say, “Be just when people respect you.”
He says, be just even when you hate what they have done.
Therefore: An insult does not give me permission to become unjust.
The author is the Chief Imam of Katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
