Chelsea star Michael Essien received a hero’s welcome when he made a visit to his home town, Awutu on Tuesday. The midfielder was accompanied by officials from Chelsea football team and the charity organizations Purepersona, the Michael Essien Foundation, Chelsea Foundations and Right to Play.

In Awutu, about one hour’s drive from Accra, Essien spoke to local dignitaries, and then went on to unveil two initiatives to promote health and reduce disease in the town. The midfielder also took part in a promotion called “Reading Goals” to encourage children to get into the habit of reading books. Reading Goals is a series of books created with help from the publishing company Pearson Education and the Ghanaian Ministry of Education to inspire children in the country to read. They are based on Essien’s own experiences and he handed copies to youngsters in front of a mass of people before the football final took place.
Essien went on to take part in a sports day for about 5,000 school children from the Senya Breku district, watching them play football, volley ball and netball. The day with Michael Essien was organized by his foundation, a charity that is based in Accra and was created last year. Essien was joined by compatriot Sulley Muntari to commission two projects in his hometown. Essien opened a water bore hole in the centre of the town and new public toilets funded by his foundation.

“It is so good to be home and be able to give something back to my community.  It is great to be here, where I used to play football, and the amount of people here is really special, it makes me really proud,” comments Essien.

The Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari said: “I came along to offer my support to Michael because what he is doing with his foundation is brilliant. He is a great blessing and a great brother; I have known him for seven years now and the relationship is very strong. I just love him, that’s the thing. He gets a great reception in Ghana, it is always important to feel welcomed by your own people, and he is doing some great stuff. He is giving back to the community and he has a very good heart, I am very pleased to know him and very happy to be here.”