Bolgatanga, July 5, GNA - The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) at the weekend organised a fund-raising dinner to ensure the successful celebration of region's 50th anniversary scheduled for September this year.

It called on the people and other stakeholders to contribute towards the success of the event. Mr Mark Woyongo, Regional Minister, said the celebration of the event would help market the endowed potentials and rich culture of the people with the view of attracting investments to propel the region's development.

He stressed the need to bring about a number of development projects to the region and appealed to the people including those in the Diaspora to contribute towards developing the region.

Mr Wayongo said the occasion would also be used to show gratitude and appreciation to some eminent individuals and organizations who had contributed immensely towards the development of the region. He said the government would give a facelift to the regional capital Bolgatanga, by providing street lights, re-surfing of the roads, expansion of the water system, construction of ultra modern Regional ICT Resource Centre and a sports complex and completion of the Bolgatanga Poly clinic.

Mr Woyongo stated that even though some of the projects would not be completed before the year ends due to the procurement procedures it ought to be followed thoroughly to ensure transparency and sustain government's interest.

He said to spice up the event, a year-long activity had been planned to include under-15 soccer match, under-15 marathon race for boys and girls, volley ball, boxing tournament between Upper East and South Central Province of Burkina Faso and triangular tournament among Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. Beauty pageant, musical jams, quiz and essay competitions for basic to tertiary schools, public lectures and symposia on the region's resources and potentials, homecoming and durbar of chiefs and people would be held.