Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, presidential candidate of the United Ghana Movement (UGM) says when his party forms the next government it would restructure the Ghana Education Service (GES) and make the teaching profession more appealing.

"We will make sure that teachers are among the best paid in the country and sponsor them for study leave abroad with a view to making teaching a profession of first choice in the country." Dr Wereko-Brobby said this in a 97-minute speech at the Second National Delegates Congress in Accra. He also launched a newsletter considered as the party's manifesto. The 24-page newsletter titled "UGM Manifesto- A fresh Start" states the party's position and strategies on women's empowerment, the media, agriculture, human resource development, education, the economy, security services, youth and sports.

Dr Wereko-Brobby said a UGM government would provide equal opportunities for basic education and promote pre-school education through an expansion of both public and private kindergartens. He said the party believes that education holds the key to development.

It would, therefore, be firm on the constitutional provisions on the subject to ensure that the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education becomes a reality. Dr Wereko-Brobby lauded the Junior Secondary School (JSS) programme but noted with concern that lack of logistics and personnel for practical work has defeated its emphasis on vocational and technical training.

On the media the UGM presidential candidate promised to repeal all laws that inhibit the practice of free expression of views. UGM would, therefore, repeal the criminal libel law, sedition and any other oppressive laws against the practice of journalism in the first 100 days of its administration. It would also abolish all laws that impinge on the welfare and development of women and children.