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I recall not long ago and just before the World Cup in South Africa, the entire nation was united in clamouring for the inclusion of Stephen Appiah in the squad for Ghana�s second consecutive appearance at the most prestigious gathering of the elite soccer nations in the World. The then captain of the Black Stars, club-less at a time following a contractual tug-of -war with Fernabahce had just recovered from a two year-long knee injury nightmare. His form at the time meant nothing to Ghanaians who felt Appiah�s inclusion in the Black Stars would be the perfect payback for his magnanimity, humility and unwavering commitment to the national cause. In short, Ghanaians having seen the dedication, zeal and the willingness of Stephen Appiah to �die� for his Nation were willing to pay him back with a ticket to the World Cup knowing very well he wasn�t in the best of shapes and his form had dipped! Juxtapose Appiah�s story with that of Essien and the script changes dramatically! Arguably Ghana�s biggest soccer ambassador, Chelsea�s Essien is ironically not that big on the average Ghanaian fan. To say public opinion about Essien in Ghana is sharply divided will be like saying that President Mills is the President of Ghana! Essien is regarded as one of the big stars in the English Premiership but in Ghana, the popularity that led scores of soccer crazy Ghanaians to seek affiliation with Abramovich�s Chelsea gradually seems to be dissipating. It will be a big lie if I say I was surprised at Ghanaian fans� reaction following the announcement that the Chelsea Star was to end his over a year self-imposed leave. For some, Essien was simply hoodwinking fans simply to patronise his impending charity match to highlight Peace in Africa which is slated for the Accra Sports Stadium next Wednesday. Others claimed the player had lost so much form even at Chelsea that it would be extremely difficult for him to just walk into the national team again. �We did better at the Nations Cup when he was not part of the team�, others surmised. The most shocking of all the reasons I listened to was the one that pointed to the effect that Essien needed the national team to enable him renew is work permit that was nearing expiration! My immediate reaction was �aaaaaabah!� Granted the Essien we know today is not the Essien we used to know back in the days in terms of form. But I dare say he will walk into the first team not only of ALL the Premier League teams we individually support and worship but to other great European sides as well. I will not pretend that I did not pour scorn and disdain on Essien for his decision to turn his back on the nation citing two horrific injuries he sustained on a national assignment. My argument then and now was simply that injuries as painful and horrific as they may be, are a part of a footballer�s life and that a player can get injured anywhere during a game and in whatever jersey, be it for club or country! I asked then, would Essien have quit Chelsea if those horrific injuries were sustained in a Chelsea shirt? What if and God forbid, he picks an injury in next Wednesday�s peace match, would that mean he would suspend all charity matters indefinitely? Certainly not! So, much as I disagree and possibly reprimand a fan who will cite work permit issues and other despicable reasons for Essien�s return to the Black Stars, one thing remains fundamental here. That the worth of a man is measured more heavily in weights of gold for what he selflessly does for his country than what he achieves for himself. If David Beckham is still seen as an icon and is considered a national asset to this day, it is not because he remains one of the richest sportsmen on our planet. It is because of the selfless dedication to the national cause throughout his entire playing life. That even at a time when his career has been in the twilight for the last couple of years, his burning desire to play for the English Olympic team at the 2012 Olympics is tolerated and is being considered. Essien might have had very good reasons to sit out of Ghana matches for a year, but I dare say it was a decision made out of emotions and one that was not properly thought through vis a vis its wider implications! The news is that Coach Stevanovic has included Essien in his squad for next month�s double header against Congo and South Korea. It shouldn�t take a soothsayer to predict that Essien will not only walk into the starting Eleven but play for the entire 90 minutes! But this is where a line is drawn between ability and dedication. The two go hand in hand to mould a person into great statesman and in the particular case of a footballer, loved, revered and idolised. The Abedi Peles, George Weahs, Zinedine Zidanes, Samuel Etos, Kalusha Bwalyas and the Beckhams are revered and loved globally not only for their naturally God given ability on the pitch. It is the other little things like going the extra mile to sweat and �die� for the nation that turns them into Demigods. Essien may not need our adulation and reverence. After all, elsewhere beyond our shores he is highly rated and respected. But what does it profit a man to have it all and yet lose the respect and love of his own people? For now, Ghanaian fans will welcome Essien back albeit reluctantly. But it will take a consistent churning out of grade �A� performances as well as a constant show of affection for the one team every soccer crazy Ghanaian loves, to win all the �lost� fans back! It is time for a new chapter and if I were Essien, I will turn a new leaf in my relationship with the Black Stars. All the same, welcome back home APSU.