Remembering Sir Willie, a versatile elder in the Ghanaian community in Finland

• 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