Celebrated African footballing legend, George Oppon Weah joined Chelsea's Michael Essien at a charity event during the weekend to launch a foundation that aims to provide basic amenities and improve the lifestyles of a targeted Ghanaian community in need.
"The Michael Essien Foundation" is a community outreach organisation set up by Michael Essien for the people of his home town, Awutu Breku in the Central Region of Ghana.
The foundation which has a five-year development plan aims to offer the under privileged in Awutu Breku, with access to basic amenities such as health care, libraries, public toilets and portable water.
It will also provide a scheme for farmers to raise their productivity, sports day, a recreational centre and an annual training for women in accounting and occupational skills among others in honour of Essien's mother.
Both stars celebrated the launch of the foundation Saturday evening in Accra by bagging GH˘131,500 through an action sale of autographed sports kits and a financial support of GH˘48,244 ( Ł20,000) by cellular service provider, MTN.
George Oppon Weah, who in his prime picked the World, European and African footballer of the year awards described the project as timely and strategic.
"Having led Ghana to qualify for the World Cup and scoring some important goals, I believe the Foundation is the most important goal to be scored by Essien as it will give assistance to a deprived community and mentor young ones to stardom," the former AC Milan star and Liberian captain said.
The night saw auction sales of autographed jerseys of Michael Essien which was used in the finals of the Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United, gloves of Chelsea goalkeeper Petre Cech used in a Champions League qualifier between Chelsea and Athletico Madrid as well as Frank Lampard's jersey of a World Cup qualifier between England and Belarus.
It also included the sale of autographed boots of Didier Drogba and John Terry in a Champions League game between Chelsea and Juventus and England and Ukraine World Cup qualifier respectively.
Source: ghanafa
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