Chelsea's Essien pledges to promote peace in Africa

Published on: 21 September 2010

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has pledged to promote peace in Africa after starting work on Tuesday as the AU Peace Ambassador.

The Ghanaian enforcer unveiled his plans of helping to promote peace on the continent on UN World Peace Day as the African Union (AU) has planned football matches in the continent’s troubled countries to foster unity.

Essien was handed the top post by Africa’s political and economic integration body following his sterling work on humanitarian issues across the continent.

The Chelsea star says he will use image as a respected football icon globally to help the people of Africa to achieve peace.

“First of all I think it’s a great opportunity. There will be a lot of football matches across Africa to send the message across to the whole continent,” Essien said.

“Sports is a big thing especially football. The people of Africa are all football fans and we will try to use football to send the message across to the whole continent and I’m happy to take part.

“We will go around and speak to people and encourage them to stop fighting.

“Put the guns down and make peace in the community and in the country as well as the whole continent.”

The AU has planned several matches across the continent on Tuesday to help promote peace.

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