Star Wars: Ghanaian Michael Essien as African Peace Ambassador
It happens in the life of every big celebrity; they have got to choose for themselves if they have to draw the circle of people they care about bigger than the ones of normal people. If they do realize that they have larger destinies than they have anticipated then in the process they are honoured by granting the status of idols and saviours.
A similar story has started in the life of one of the best players in the world Michael Essien. The Ghanaian midfielder who plays for Chelsea is now included in the 14 members of the African Union’s Peace Ambassadors.
The basic aim of these Peace Ambassadors is to try and promote peace in the African region along with improving the living conditions and the security of the continent. Africa has been plagued by militant and extremist groups that have not taken advances in war for religion but have been fighting on a political scale against governments for power.
Situations like these along with the constant lack of food and plague of diseases have left much of Africa in trouble and despair. African countries themselves can do little to help each other right now as they can barely support themselves so they all heavily rely on foreign aid for assistance.
In situations like these, the celebrities that once came from humble routes and carved their way through hardships to evolve into better beings can be set as an example and nominated to guide others.
Just for these reasons the African Union has made Essien a man from the people as the Peace Ambassador. Along with him the African footballing maestro Abedi Pele has been included in the men to lead the African programmes of the Year of Peace and the Security Programme in September.
Michael Essien who was encountering a long stream of bad luck had been ruled out of the World Cup. The ace in the midfield for Chelsea picked up a knee injury and missed the season. He later announced in May that he would not be able to participate in the World Cup as the star had not recovered from his knee injury.
Essien elucidated that his recovery had been slow and he expected to be ready when the World Cup had gone pretty deep. No one expected that without Essien the Black Stars would be able to perform this marvellously in the World Cup in South Africa.
Ghana proceeded to the semi finals where they were defeated by Uruguay in one of the most controversial matches in history. They still went back home to a hero’s welcome and were honoured and appreciated even by Nelson Mandela.
The veteran Blues player from Ghana expressed, “I am truly honoured by the African Union’s decision to consider and appoint me a Peace Ambassador. I know with my image and experience in the past I can play an important role in fostering peace not only in Africa but throughout the world”.
He optimistically stated that he will try his best to prove he is worth the task and improve Africa for good. He exclaimed, “I will give my all in this new position to help to contribute to peace and security in Africa, which has been a challenge in some areas of our continent”.
Essien told that this was a mission that will have great significance in the future, “This is a very important challenge that needs addressing and I hope I will achieve our aim of fostering peace, love and unity in Africa”.
He told that football has been a sport that turned into the latest language of Africa and when it speaks everyone stays quiet to listen. The African countries will have to take advantage of this fact and introduce football as a reconciliation project on a larger scale to bring out a new breed of footballers from the continent.
The head of the AU Commission Jean Ping has stated, “In order for the Year of Peace and Security to be successful, it is important that Africans take ownership and direct, as well as participate in the implementation of its program”.
He added, “It is therefore an honour and privilege for us to have personalities of your (Essien's) continental and global stature being part of this historical initiative”.
Essien has already been taking part in the projects to increase the footballing passion in Africa and now that the African Union is sponsoring him and backing him up on his motives; more can be expected from the continent that hosted the 2010 World Cup.
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