<<Print>>

Five years after investing thousands of Ghana Cedis into the construction of Jubilee parks in the 10 regional capitals for the celebration of the country�s 50th independence, the Tamale Jubilee Park is rotting. Apart from the main ground which is being used for public gatherings, other facilities like toilets and restaurants, now serve as homes for lunatics in the city. The restaurant, which was completed before the anniversary and provided with glass sliding doors, has not been developed despite attempts by some restaurant owners in the city to use the facility. Daily Guide�s investigations revealed that the restaurant at the Jubilee Park in the Upper West region is currently operational and serves delicious meals to visitors and tourists in the area. Sources told DAILY GUIDE that occasionally city authorities visit the place to eject illegal occupants, adding that it is not enough to completely eject them. The two public toilet facilities, which are at various stages of completion, have also been abandoned despite the fact that they require little funds to complete the project. Residents find it difficult to ease themselves during public gatherings yet city authorities appear to be unconcerned. Attempts to talk to authorities at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly about the matter proved futile, as those at the helm of affairs were tight-lipped. According to reports, several persons have expressed interest in offering catering services but the assembly has rejected their proposal. Deep throat sources at the assembly revealed that the facility has been allocated to an activist of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who intends to use it for a chop bar. The Ghana @50 projects were initiated by the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to serve as durbar grounds for various functions across the country. Due to financial constraints, the NPP government was unable to complete some of the projects before losing power to the current government. But two and half years after assuming office, the current administration seems to have neglected the facilities that serve the masses, irrespective of their political affiliations.