Gold Fields to partner Stephen Appiah`s Foundation

Discussions are far advanced for the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation to partner with StepApp Foundation, founded by Black Stars Captain Stephen Appiah. StepApp Foundation is a Non Governmental Organization aimed at helping street children and those in dire need in the rural areas of Ghana.

The Gold Fields Foundation, which has similar ideals is seriously considering a partnership with the StepApp foundation for its annual event dubbed 'StepApp to Sports' for the benefit of the youth in its catchment areas of Tarkwa and Damang.

This is an annual community based tournament for school going children up to Junior High School, from various communities competing for the Captain's Cup. This year's StepApp to Sports Day was held on Saturday June 27 at the Liberty Professional Football Grounds, Dansoman.

Next year, the event will move for the first time outside Accra to Tarkwa, in the Western Region, the base of Gold Field's Ghana's mining operations.

The Gold Fields Foundation provides support for communities where they operate, through educational scholarships, assisting the delivery of better health care, infrastructure, wealth creation and other socio-economic needs. The Gold Fields Foundation has since its inception in 2002 spent over 9 million to help various developmental projects in the communities.

The first StepApp to Sports Day held last year attracted 8000 school going children.

Due to the success of the first event, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation will partner with Stephen's Foundation to reach more kids this year. The day featured Stephen Appiah and some of his Black Stars team mates like Michael Essien and co, as well as former national stars like Tony Yeboah and Tony Baffoe.

Appiah's iconic stature coupled with his image as a national hero for children and his selfless devotion towards the upliftment of the lives of the less fortunate, are special attributes that merges with qualities which the Gold Fields Foundations stands for, said Dr. Toni Aubynn, the Acting Country Manager and a member of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation board.

Meanwhile, Gold Fields Ghana, which is the Headline Sponsor of the Black Stars, would like to congratulate the team on the recent win against Sudan in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Ghana tops Group 4 with nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign.

Sponsorship funds from Gold Fields helped Ghana qualify to a first World Cup in 2006 and Gold Fields support is powering the Black Stars to yet another World Cup appearance.