Sunyani (B/A) July 16, GNA - Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, National Youth Organiser of National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday urged the Ghana Police Service not to operate as "mere weapon operators or wielders" but as an effective law enforcement agency.

He was speaking at a symposium at Sunyani Polytechnic organized by the NDC Northern Sector branch of Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN)) within Polytechnics.

The branch consists of polytechnics in Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions.

The symposium under the theme, "Ten years of democracy: the way forward for the youth", rounded off the inauguration of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Youth Working Committee of the NDC. Mr. Iddrisu called on the media to be impartial in their reportage and to be unmindful of "whose ox their reportage could gore".

Mr. Iddrisu noted that a section of the media that "constructively" criticized the NDC government had surprisingly "kept mute" over some of the current government's activities or programmes that needed to be similarly criticized.

The Youth Organiser called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to multi-party democracy by sourcing the Electoral Commission to provide voters' identification cards to improve the electoral system. Teachers at the basic, second-cycle and tertiary levels, must be adequately remunerated to make the profession attractive, he added. Mr. Iddrisu said the exodus of medical doctors and nurses, for instance was due to the "unhealthy enticement" in terms of conditions of service. If voted back to power in 2004, the NDC would streamline the cumbersome administrative procedures that students go through in their efforts to pursue further education, especially at the tertiary level, he said. Mr Iddrisu said an NDC government would ensure easy accessibility, affordability and reliable means for such students in pursuance of higher education.

Mr Kofi Bonsu Boakye-Boateng, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretary of NDC suggested the adoption of a fee-free and compulsory education for females, at least up to the second-cycle level.

He said this would allow more girls to gain better education to be able to effectively contribute to the country's socio-economic development.

"We should begin to take education seriously and we can do this better by opening the fee-free chance by beginning or starting with the girl-child," he added.

A 13-member Regional Youth Working Committee was elected with Mr. Mohammed Seidu as the Regional Youth Organiser, Mr. Justice Samuel Adjei, Regional Coordinator and Mr. Sulley Mana, Second Deputy Organiser Mr. Paul Yeboah, Mr. Ntena Dauda, Mr. Amos Oppong Boateng, Mr Seidu Usman, Mr Osei Bonsu and all constituency youth organizers were appointed as ex-officio members.