Bolgatanga, March 6, GNA - The Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council on Friday launched the 50th anniversary celebration of the region slated for September 20.

Launching the anniversary, the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo said it would offer the region the opportunity to take stock of its achievements, challenges and chart a way forward for effective development. He said the rationale for the celebration was to enable the region market its potentials to attract investors, expose its rich culture and tourist attraction to the outside world. It would also show recognition to some individuals and institutions for their immense contributions to the development of the region, foster unity and promote peaceful co-existence among the people. The theme for the celebration is:"Upper East Region @50-Harnessing our endowed resources for Accelerated Development through Education."

Mr. Woyongo said in relation to the theme, a number of educational programmes including public lectures would be organised to harness the region's potentials. There will be a symposium on topical socio-cultural issues impeding the development of the region, debates, drama and quiz competitions among tertiary and second cycle institutions as part of the educational outreach programme.

The Minister said there would also be a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the region to showcase their culture while all the districts would also have a date to showcase their socio-economic potentials. In order to facilitate publicity about the event and market the region, a special website known as Uppereastregghana.com has been created.

Mr. Woyongo said there would be documentary on the tourist and other potentials of the region on television.

He said in order to give a facelift to the region for the celebration, government has given approval for the rehabilitation of some infrastructural facilities while a polyclinic dubbed: "Golden Jubilee Project," would be constructed to ease the pressure on the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. In a solidarity message, Mr. Mohammed Khalid, Upper West Regional Minister appealed to the people in the three northern regions, to come together to marshal plans for development to help address poverty in the area.

He asked the people to desist from conflicts that are common in the area.

"We must learn how to tell our own story on how to prevent and resolve conflicts and stop people from branding us as people who cherish conflicts." The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Moses Mabengba entreated the people in the region to use the 50th anniversary to reflect on how to shun away from conflicts and to think positively towards the development of the area.