NAME: William Ato Essien
POSITION: Founder and President
COMPANY: Essien Swiss International Capital Holdings
INDUSTRY: Banking and Finance
BELIEF: Hope is a good breakfast neither is it a bad dinner
HOBBIES: Dancing, Listening to Jazz and Teaching
EDUCATION: Central University
BACKGROUND: Grew up in Agona Swedru. After enrolling and passing out of the Winneba Secondary School he received a scholarship from the University of Ghana to study Medical Science but was unable to pursue this due to financial constraint.
He started trading in used clothing at Accra central, buying and re-selling Sammy Otoo Books on University campuses, selling stoves at Sunyani and has also earned a living as a head porter at Kaneshie market at the age of 16.
Before settling into mainstream micro-finance, Essien also dabbled in publishing. He started a printing press called Wade Laurel Printing Press.
He subsequently returned to Accra and started a small Savings and Loans Company within his community which became Capital Bank, and later, was taken over by GCB Bank
He currently has majority interests in ESICH life Assurance Company Ltd, Ocean Spring Natural Mineral Water, Empire Radio and a partner Director for Lloyds Brokers Company Ltd.
Essien is married to Gifty Essien with four children.
Business World Ghana