William Ato Essien, a banker with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Central University College. He first established First Capital Plus (FCP) in 2009, and by the end of 2010, the company had grown to become a microfinance with a deposit base of GHC36 million and a total asset size of GHC47 million. He bought a 24 percent stake in Gye Nyame Resources in Zimbabwe in 2011. On account of poor business operations and environmental concerns, the now-defunct diamond mine was shut down.
He also founded Essien Swiss International Capital Holdings. He was raised in Agona Swedru and went to Winneba Secondary School. At the age of 16, he then started selling stoves in Sunyani, buying and reselling books on college campuses, trading in used clothing in Accra Central, and making money as a head porter at Kaneshie Market.
The Wade Laurel Printing Press was founded by Essien before she moved on to conventional microfinance. In his area, he later started a small Savings and Loans Company that would eventually grow into Capital Bank and be purchased by GCB Bank.
Additionally, he is a partner Director for Lloyds Brokers Company Ltd. and has controlling stakes in Empire Radio, Ocean Spring Natural Mineral Water, and ESICH Life Assurance Company Ltd. Essien has four children and is married to Gifty Essien.
