Mr Erik R. Owusu-Sechere (1977)

Provided by Mrs Gloria Greenish et. al.

ERIK REGINALD OWUSU-SECHERE 1956-2007

The Erik many will remember is of  a friendly, smiling, intelligent, gregarious, fun loving yet serious man – the life and soul of the party, who loved life, his family and friends.

After the Imperial College he returned to Ghana to fufill his childhood ambition as a successful Chemical Engineer and Computer Systems Analyst at Volta Aluminium Company, Ghana and spent many years working in the United States for Kaiser Aluminium, the parent company of Volta Aluminium.

The much loved and missed father of three, brother, family member and friend died of Liver Cancer on 2nd March 2007, Tema, Ghana a few weeks short of his fifty-first birthday. 

Provided by Class of 1972 [MOB-72] Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, Ghana

It was with profound sadness that we learnt of Erik’s sudden death on 2 March 2007. In September 1967, a motley group of small boys “Dadambas” and “Agyaa Wofasis” arrived at Kwabotwe Hills to begin our secondary education, from there developed a lifelong healthy academic rivalry, close friendships, camaraderie.

The boys in Freeman-Aggrey House together with the year group acquired nicknames which we now prefer to forget and ensure no one else remembers - Erik somehow cleverly contrived to be known as EROS, coined from his initials! The academically gifted EROS was also a leader of our social life and a keen sportsman.

The academic brilliance, his successful professional life of a Chemical Engineer and Computer Systems Analyst and as a wonderful father is a source of great pride to all of us, his siblings, children, family, colleagues at VALCO and abroad.

We remember our dear friend – the sharp intellect, active life, the laughter and fun, supportive, generous nature, wise counsel and the vibrant personality which drew friends and colleagues to him.

Provided by George Prah

My friendship with Erik pre dates our years at Mfantsipim School – we were childhood friends who played and had fun together. At Mfantsipim his consistent brilliance, passion for and excellence in Mathematics, Physical Science was evident at a young age.

Further education was in England, Erik at Queens College, Taunton, Somerset, I at St Edward’s, Oxford. I recall a weekend Queens Hockey team visited Oxford for the Inter-Schools Games, Erik and our mutual friend Ivor Heward-Mills played with skill and enthusiasm for their school whilst I typically was content to be in my school’s cheering squad – that weekend from Erik and Ivor I had my maiden lessons in the art of vodka and bitter lemon!

At different London Universities, I often visited Erik at Imperial College, where the vibrant, adventurer with a zest for life lived in the “fast lane” - he attained a BSc Hons. Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1977. The sharp, inquiring mind meant Erik was destined for the highest level in his chosen profession. He won many awards for his distinguished career at VALCO, Ghana and within The Kaiser Group, USA.

Erik’s sudden death has deprived Africa of a man still in his prime, who would have had a positive impact in its quest for Technological Advancement. It is the hope that his children fufill their promising academic potential and the aspirations Erik held dear.

Provided by Volta Aluminium Company, Tema, Ghana {VALCO}

Erik Reginald Owusu-Sechere was employed by VALCO in December 1977 as a trainee Chemical Engineer in the Technical Department, after his probation period he worked as a Process Engineer on the Cell Lines and Carbon Operations.

With the introduction of Aluminium Reduction Process Automation at VALCO, Erik and a colleague trained in the United States. On returning to Ghana he led a team of Engineers and Programmers to successfully man the Reduction Cell Control Systems.

During his stewardship at VALCO, Erik led the development of Advanced Cell Control Strategies in the Kaiser Group Systems, which has the potential to significantly improve Aluminium Reduction Cell Feed Control.

A good, sociable, kind, helpful man who had the patience to help his colleagues  solve problems. All of us, his former workmates remained his friends until his untimely death at the relatively young age of nearly fifty-one. We shall forever remember him.

It was with profound regret, disbelief and a real sense loss that we buried our beloved son with all the Traditional Rites of a King on 14 April 2007. Erik, his late brother Albert 1963-2005, and their three surviving brothers were born King Designates as was their only sister Gloria, Queen Mother Designate of their maternal Royal Family of Akwatia. **

Despite their academic leanings and life in Accra, Ghana and abroad, the much loved and cared for educated children of Royal parents, JH Owusu-Sechere LLB Commissioner of Police CID & Special Branch, Ghana 1918-1986 and Elizabeth Catherine 1932-1970 have always had the understanding and been part of their Royal heritage.

Erik gracefully declined to be King when requested - we understood his reasoning, he was a distinguished Chemical Engineer and Computer Systems Analyst [of which we are very proud], with still much do in his chosen profession for his country and Africa. Kingship was to be postponed until a time later in his life when he could devote time and his considerable energy to the enormous task of Kingship and for the betterment of his people and area.

A new morning has broken for Erik, we are proud of our beloved son and his short life of achievement, zest for life, the many tributes to him - the boy named after the warrior Asante King Atakora Mensah had all the qualities of a brilliant King who would have made a real difference- Tall, handsome, dignified, his humility, sharp courageous, decisive intellect, with the warm, generous, vibrant, engaging, caring traits of his parents, siblings, ancestors which endeared him to all who met or knew of him.

On 2 March 2008, the first anniversary of Erik joining his parents, late brother Albert and ancestors, the final funeral rites, will be performed in his ancestral homes, with the main traditional ceremonies, unveiling of his gravestone and in celebration in Akwatia, where he is buried next to his devoted, much loved and missed mother Elizabeth.

We ask all who knew Erik or heard of him to join us on 2 March and 24 April, his 52ndBirthday in person, spirit, prayers and In Celebration of his life with special thoughts for Gloria, his sister, best friend and ally of fifty years, siblings, his three children, extended family and friends.

*"Dadambas" "daddy's beloved child" "Agyaa Wofasis" Grandad's beloved nephews/nieces" Ghanaian slang words for privileged children provided with the best care and education.
** Matriarchal Inheritance