A British philanthropist and the Puma sportswear and equipment company are raising money for social causes in Ghana.They’re also pressing for a series of exhibition football matches to be played on September 21st, which the United Nations has declared World Peace Day. Voice of America English to Africa Service reporter Oral Ofori says the philanthropist is Jeremy Gilley, a British-born actor turned filmmaker and the founder of the British non-profit organization “Peace One Day.”
Gilley and Puma’s CEO, Yokan Zeitz, were recently in Accra to launch the Ghana fundraiser, which included an exhibition football match between school kids. On hand were football greats Roger Milla of Cameroon and Anthony Yeboah of Ghana.
The match was a preview of a series of non-competitive matches dedicated to ending conflict around the world. Under the plan, football matches will be held in every country on World Peace Day.
Puma used the event to unveil its collection of sports items made in africa. They will be sold on the international market beginning in May to raise money for charities across Africa.
Gilley said Ghana was chosen as a venue for the event because of the large presence of international media covering the ongoing African Nations Cup. He also explained how September 21st was chosen as the International Day of Peace.
“After [I traveled] the world with people like the Dalai Lama and Amre Mousa, Shimon Perez, [and] meeting people like Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson and many others, the British and Costa Rican governments put the idea to the United Nations General Assembly, [which] voted for the first ever day of peace on the planet...”