John Paintsil’s charity work took him to Ajumako, a township in the Central Region of Ghana where he urged children not allow any form of tribal and religious segregation to deny them the many opportunities in life.

The Ghana and Fulham defender has been promoting peace and unity through his foundation, the PPKP: ‘Paintsil Peace Kids Project,’ which uses football to get the messages across in local communities nationwide.

After an outreach programme involving football competitions in the past week for some top professional clubs from the Brong Ahafo Region, where he started his career, Paintsil turned to Ajumako, the birthplace of his father to continue with his community service.

Paintsil, one of the most consistent performers for Ghana, who has been personally embarking on the programmes, has charged children to eschew division and remain disciplined as they aim to become prominent people in society.

Addressing school children, when his foundation organized a special football tournament for school children in Ajumako, the Ghana international appealed to them to stay united as one people irrespective of tribe nor religion or any other affiliations.

“You must always see yourself as Ghanaians first and not see yourself as Fante, Ewe, Ashanti etc,” he said.

“When you do that you will always remain united and stronger as children and together you can achieve your aims of becoming prominent citizens in future.

“Discipline is also very important in everything you do and I advice you to be disciplined.”

“Be respectful to your parents and teachers and the reward will be a success in whatever you want to be whether a footballer, a doctor, a teacher,” Paintsil said.

Four schools, Bisiase Circuit, Amia Circuit, Abaase Circuit and Ajumako Circuit took part in the special competition which had over 80 students involved.

All the students were rewarded with school bags and other gifts with the schools involved taking into their sports stores, sets of jerseys and footballs.