THE Council of State has stressed the need to create enough enthusiasm to galvanise the whole nation to participate fully in events lined up for the celebration of the country’s 50th independence anniversary. "We should be able to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in such a way as will make us proud of our progress and achievements and our ability to work together as individuals and institutions," the Council said. In an introductory remark before the first quarterly meeting with President J. A. Kufuor at the Castle on Thursday, Prof. Daniel Adzei-Bekoe, Chairman of the Council, said the Council has been monitoring progress of the bodies put in place to plan and implement the programme for the Golden Jubilee. The meeting held behind closed doors bordered on the state of preparedness of the nation to celebrate the anniversary, peace and security issues as well as the President’s chairmanship of the African Union. Prof. Adzei-Bekoe said at various stages of the monitoring process, "we have had our concerns and anxieties, we have discussed them frankly and openly with the Chief of Staff and other officials of state." "We are pleased to inform you that in spite of initial uncertainties and later challenges that have been encountered, we seem to be smoothly sailing home," said the statement. He expressed appreciation to the President for his personal interest and commitment and actions that he had taken to ensure that deadlines were kept, and that quality was not compromised. "There are still a few critical matters that need attention; peace and security, sanitation and other challenges. Some of these will be taken up during our closed door sessions with you," he said. He congratulated the President on his election as Chairman of the African Union, noting that his election was another major international assignment after a two-term tenure as Chairman of ECOWAS. Prof. Adzei-Bekoe expressed the confidence of members of the council in the President’s ability to make an impact, despite the seemingly intractable problems facing the continent, including conflicts in Somalia, Darfur in the Sudan, Chad and Guinea. He however advised the President that national assignments should also engage his priority attention. Times