Michael Essien was widely tipped to be one of Africa's next rising stars. Essien made his competitive senior debut in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco on 21 January 2002. but had played for Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt on 4 January 2002. On 16 May 2006, Essien was selected to be part of the team that represented Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He played in midfield with team captain Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari. Essien played in Ghana's 0–2 defeat to Italy, their 2–0 victory over the Czech Republic, and the 2–1 victory
Nduese Essien on Internal Affairs and Women Affairs. In 2003, he was appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values. He was also appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter of the African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption, and was later elected Regional Director in Charge of West Africa. After leaving office in 2007, he was a member of the National Technical Assessment Committee on the Niger Delta region. Following his 6 April 2010 appointment as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Essien said land reform and provision of housing were key items in the administration's seven-point agenda. On