Bolgatanga Jan. 24, GNA- Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister,has said the misconceptions and branding of the region as a conflict prone area should be fought and erased as the area had better things to offer the nation and the world.

"This was the time to tell the whole world that the perceptions are false and that we have more fortunes to savour in Upper East Region." Mr Woyongo had met with the Committee assigned to see to the organization of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Upper East Region= at the week end.

"The lush tourist attractions that abound in the region including t= he famous Paga Crocodile Pond where the reptiles peacefully co-exist with hu= man beings and even visit homes, the various slave relics, shrines, antique a= nd contemporary architectural designs, art and crafts and hospitality of the=

people make a better story than what others say about us, he said". The committee chaired by Mr. Robert Akurugu Agene, a retired educationist, said the committee had put in place all the plans relevant to make the celebration successful.

He said as part of the plans, the committee intends to officially launch the programme and said it needed seed capital to do that. Mr. Agene said if funds were made available the Regional launch woul= d be done on February 26, 2010 in Bolgatanga while the national one takes place on March 27 2010 in Accra. A media consultant, Mr. Emmanuel Mwninla-Yori, who briefed the committee on the publicity earmarked for the programme, said his outfit w= as putting up the necessary materials capable of effectively selling the reg= ion to the outside world to attract investors and tourists to the area.

Mr. Woyongo charged the committee to assist the consultant in his research to give out the best about the region to the outside world addin= g that relevant history, tourist attractions, the culture and practices of the people among others should guide the consulting company in its production= s. He added that the region was naturally a resourceful area and contributes greatly to the total development of the country's economy.