Hearts to play Chelsea

Accra, Feb. 25, GNA - Premier League leaders, Accra Hearts of Oak would engage Bechem Chelsea in an Essien Challenge Cup at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra on Sunday, March 8.

The match which is an initiative of "Kick Malaria Out of Africa', a non-governmental organization championing the cause of malaria eradication in the country through sports, forms part of activities marking the 52nd Anniversary celebration of Ghana's Independence. The initiative also aims at creating awareness of the dangers of the malaria disease among football fans and to find effective ways of its prevention.

The trophy for the match has been donated by Black Stars defender, Michael Essien and his mother, Madam Aba Dzanode. Mr Kwakbena Osei Bonsu, Chief Executive Officer of the NGO who disclosed these in Accra on Wednesday, said there would be a free screening exercise and the treatment of the disease at the stadium by medical experts prior to the match.

He appealed to corporate bodies and institutions to assist the organisation to enable it realize its dream of making Ghana a malaria free zone.

Madam Dzanode who is an 'Ambassador' of the Kick Malaria Out of Africa Project later presented the trophy to Mr Osei Bonsu, saying that the issue of malaria eradication should be the prime concern of all. She appealed to nursing mothers to observe environmental cleanliness which she said was the surest way of preventing their children from the effects of malaria. Mr George Sipa Yankey, Minister for Health, Barima Professor Azumah Nelson, Joseph Clottey as well as some top musicians are expected to grace the occasion. 25 Feb. 09