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Many stories are told of some of the world’s greatest footballers, starting life from a humble and rather difficult background. Michael Essien is no exception to this. He grew up in Awutu Breku in the central region of Ghana where there were very little opportunities in his community for most people to develop to their full potential. When he took up football Michael had to work hard to breakthrough or even to be recognised by clubs in the big cities.

As a world icon today, and recently being regarded in some quarters as the 7th best player in the world, Michael wants his story to be one of HOPE AND INSPIRATION to the youth in Ghana and Africa as a whole starting primarily from Awutu Breku his hometown. The Michal Essien Foundation he believes will drive this message of hope and inspiration.

The Michael Essien Foundation (MEF) is a local Ghanaian NGO founded by Michael Essien, the renowned Ghanaian International and Chelsea Football Club Star. It aims to create opportunities and hope for the underprivileged in the Awutu Breku area. The goal of the MEF is to promote basic community amenities and opportunities for various groups through different projects and activities.

The MEF is governed by a four member trustee who ensures that the core values and purposes of the foundation are reflected in its operations. They include Hon. Mike Gizo, Ex Minister of State & Paramount Chief of Shai Traditional Area, Mr. Osei Bonsu, Partner at Minkah Premo Law Firm. The MEF is in the process of being registered with the department of Welfare as a voluntary organisation.

To give the underprivileged in Awutu and its immediate environs access to basic amenities like healthcare equipments, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water.
To raise funds to support some of the local projects in the Awutu area
To mentor and encourage the youth during the Sports Day Activities to be organised

Sports Day & Recreational Centre for Football

The Sports Day program will be run yearly as part of Michael’s aim to give hope and inspiration to others as well as encouraging the youth. This scheme which was originally started by the StepApp Foundation has worked well for about 2 years now for the youth of Chorkor and has been embraced extremely well by many. Adopting this for the Awutu Breku area, where the various towns will compete for THE MICHAEL ESSIEN CUP will be excellent for a town, whose main form of entertainment is football.

Local Clinic Support & Screening

A healthy town promotes a healthy economic environment for the nation and it reflects on the productivity of the nation. By providing the Awutu Clinic with basic equipments for the hospital, the MEF will be supporting and contributing to a healthy nation. (The Millennium goal)

Building libraries for school kids to visit and learn to read and write properly

Education is the key to success and helps build a good nation. By providing the town with their first Library, school children can have a peaceful environment to read and do research. This could help improve education in the Awutu area. It will also serve as a library for over 15 villages surrounding Awutu.

A Scheme for Farmers

Farming is the main occupation of many in this area. A scheme with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture could help support the town’s productivity levels. Also it will help farmers generate funds to support their families better and out of poverty.

Introducing and teaching women life skills

This concept if it goes well will be run each and every year in honour of Michael’s mum. African women are the core of every family and they hold the kids together. The basic idea is to organise a seminar for women to empower their life skill such as basic accounting for traders, how to manage a home, what to do when your child is not well, and certain cooking skills to bring families together amongst other core skills.

Public Toilets

Good Sanitation is paramount for the development of every community. Most homes in Awutu don’t have their own toilets, thus majority tend to use the public toilet. An additional public toilet to add to the few in the Awutu area will prevent inhabitants from travelling long distances and also prevent others spending a penny in the streets as can be the case at times

Bore Holes – Good Drinking Water

Water is life and extremely essential for towns and villages. The surrounding villages in Awutu struggle to get water for their households. The MEF would like to partner companies who provide water for villages, to drill as many bore holes as possible to serve the villages. This project will run throughout the entire 5 year period.