GUINNESS GIVES GH¢584,000 (PAGE 71, NOV 16)

GUINNESS, the flagship brand of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL), has lived up to its annual commitment to the Black Stars with the presentation of a cheque for GH¢ 584,000 to the team.
The presentation, made last Friday at Royal Lamerta Hotel in Kumasi where the team camped for the last World Cup qualifier against Mali, also witnessed the unveiling of a new limited edition label for Guinness.
The limited edition, which is in recognition of the outstanding performance of the Black Stars in the 2010 World Cup and CAN 2010 qualifiers, is to whip up the enthusiasm of the nation and show loyalty to the team.
Making the presentation, the Marketing Director of GGBL, Ms Ama Okyere, noted that the relationship that had existed between Guinness and the Black Stars over a decade was still healthy, and expressed the hope that the relationship would grow in the coming years.
She reiterated GGBL’s resolve to support Ghana football to grow, especially as the sport was the passion of the nation.
Ms Okyere said the Black Stars’ performance, as the first African team to qualify for the World Cup was something the entire nation was proud of.
“Undoubtedly, having achieved such a feat can only be described as greatness.
“It is, therefore, imperative that GGBL stays true to its word as always supporting the Black Stars to even greater heights in the coming major football year,” Ms Okyere stressed.
The marketing director stated that the new limited edition of Guinness would become the “dressing for Guinness” in the major football year.
 The clarion call to the Black Stars and the nation, she said, was “Together let’s reach for greatness”.
Mr Fred Pappoe, Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who received the cheque on behalf of the team, thanked GGBL for the support to the national team and promised that the players would not disgrace the nation during the World Cup.
He said Guinness had shown it had not only Ghana football at heart but also the entire nation since football was “the heart of the nation”.
The captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah, commended GGBL and said, “We are proud to be associated with you”.
He gave the assurance that the team would go all out and raise the image of the nation on the world stage.
The deputy Skipper of the Black Stars, Michael Essien, who is Guinness’ Brand Ambassador, said, “It’s good to have Guinness as a true supporter of the Black Stars”.
He said the team would always make the nation happy with great outputs.