Micheal Essien Calls For Peace through Game
Excitement is building around the world with just a day to go before Michael Essien's Peace Match in his native Ghana.
The midfielder, who is Peace Ambassador for the African Union which organised the Make Peace Happen campaign, flies out to Accra this morning, and will be accompanied by team-mates and some of the top players in the Premier League to prepare for the Africa 11 v World 11 match due to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The official Chelsea website will be there, as will a number of our players, including Ashley Cole who is eagerly anticipating the occasion.
'It's going to be good,' said the Players' Player of the Year. 'I think it's an important game for peace in Africa, it will be a great occasion and I'm always happy to support people like Michael Essien who give a lot that people don't really know about, so I'm looking forward to it. We're only there for two days, and I've not seen the full list of players yet but it's really exciting.
'I heard that Paolo Maldini might be there, I don't know if he can make it but it would be amazing to meet him. A few years ago I was at a charity dinner and I bought a signed Maldini shirt, which I gave to my mum, but it will just be great to see all these guys and play alongside them.'
It is not just the world of sport that has spoken either.
Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa, which hosted the World Cup last summer, added: 'Making Peace Happen is an initiative that must be owned by everyone of us; it must be built from the grassroots, by the efforts of ordinary women and men, civil society and private sector but also, it must involve role models from every segment of society who have demonstrated their personal commitment to this cause, to lift our spirits and to inspire us to work for peace; may they be musicians, artists, philosophers, and sportsmen.
'The Africa 11 vs. World 11 is a concrete demonstration of the level of increased mobilization of our people for peace.'
Finally, Aissatou Hayatou, who is part of the African Union delegation that will meet the players upon their arrival in Accra, praised Essien's work and urged local supporters to attend the game.
'The African Union is proud of what Michael Essien and his team are doing and we are fully behind him. We appointed him because we knew he could use his influence to make a difference and we are delighted he is doing just that.
'Also, a big thank you to Michael's friends who will be coming to Ghana to help him Make Peace. We are happy you can help the people of Africa, especially the youth, live their dream of a peaceful continent.'
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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