Tamale, July 19, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister on Wednesday laid the foundation stone to commence work on the construction of a 30 billion cedi hostels to host the four participating teams in the CAN 2008 soccer tournament in Tamale.

The two hostels referred to as "Enhanced Hostels" are Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) funded projects that are expected to house 448 people and would have modern facilities made up of an Internet Cafe, a gymnasium and offer secretarial services as well as offices for those who would operate the hostels.

The hostels, which would be completed in 12 months' time, would be handed over to the authorities of the University for Development Students (UDS) after the CAN 2008 soccer fiesta to house students to help solve the University's accommodation problems.

Ankomadu and Quansah, Kumasi and Sunyani construction firms, who are jointly constructing the two hostels, said the hostels are also to befit international standards and they gave the assurance that hostels would be handed over on schedule.

Alhaji Idris after laying the first block, called on journalists to use their expertise to project the Northern Region in a positive way to ensure that investors willingly invest to solve the numerous youth unemployment problems.

The Regional Minister said the region has been traumatized for a long period through chieftaincy conflicts and it was about time that something positive was done to change its image and called for collaboration and togetherness to carry the region forward. The Minister expressed gratitude to the GETfund for the initiative and called for the collaboration between University authorities, consultants and contractors and the people to ensure the completion of the projects.

Alhaji Idris said hosting of the CAN 2008 in Tamale was a test case for the Region and advised the people to ensure an attitudinal change so that visitors to the area carry a positive image of the Region. The Pro Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Prof. Kaburise expressed joy that some of the needs of the UDS were gradually being met and gave the assurance that the University would do its best to achieve positive results both academically and administratively.

He said since the UDS is the only University in the country operating in four regions there is the need for the government not to hesitate to meet its needs to enhance its development.