In reaction to fast-growing criticisms by members of the opposition parties and a section of the public on the ¢182-billion earmarked for Ghana's 50th independence anniversary celebration in 2007, the Northern Regional Minister, Mustapha Ali Idris, has challenged all Ghanaians to rather consider what has been packaged for the fund's utilization and evaluate the end benefits to the nation.

According to the Minister, the unfair and unguided remarks against the NPP government about the $20 million would only put the name of Ghana in disrepute, and thus implored the people to offer constructive criticisms and the requisite collaboration for the government to realize its vision of giving a facelift to the nation before the celebrations.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali said this at the inauguration of a 32-member Regional Anniversary Planning Committee chaired by his deputy, Issah Ketekewu, in Tamale.

"The ¢182 billion, to me, is not even enough when you look critically on what has been planned by the government and the National Planning Committee for the Golden Jubilee celebration".

The Minister noted that the amount, which has attracted a lot of public discussions in the NDC strongholds especially in the Tamale Metropolis, was not meant for merry-making, but for creating an enabling and attractive environment that would give positive impression of the country to the thousands of visitors who would grace the occasion.

"The money is not for the beautification of the national capital alone but for all the ten regional capitals and other important tourist sites across the country. The President has directed that Regional Committees be established in all the ten regions to ensure a balanced development preparation so that wherever dignitaries find themselves in Ghana on that occasion, they would carry back home vivid and positive memories of Ghana suitable, physically and psychologically, for development interventions," he explained.

The Minister also hinted that the government had proposed a number of project activities to be executed to act as legacy to the celebration of Ghana at 50, and serve as useful and practical structures for the benefit of present and future generations of Mother Ghana. Mr. Mustapha Ali cited as some of the legacy projects planned by the government the golden jubilee recreational parks in all regions and districts, alma mater jubilee legacies, the jubilee greening initiative, the capital gateway arches and the regional jubilee obelisks.

He was optimistic that the preparation towards the celebration would create a lot of employment opportunities for the citizens of the country. The money would also cater for the reshaping of some of the roads leading to the tourist sites across the country.

He emphasized that the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would work closely with all the District Assemblies, especially the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, to beautify the region for the 50th Anniversary and the CAN 2008 tournament, for which Tamale has been selected as one of the host cities in Ghana.

The Minister however tasked the Regional Committee to lay serious emphasis on security, which he said was the number one disease retarding the socio-economic development of the region.

He also charged the Tamale Metro Assembly to fasten its developmental activities, particularly on sanitation, street lighting and evacuation of unauthorized structures on the principal streets in the regional capital.

The former Board Chairman of the Ghana Education Trust fund (GET fund) cautioned all and sundry to cope with the Committee's plan of action to make this outstanding dream of the government a reality.

The Minister therefore cautioned all the Regional Planning Committees not to politicize the programme, which he said could affect the smooth execution of the celebration.