Accra — The Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Mac Manu, has described as "dirty propaganda" an assertion by some people that the NPP is "anti-business" because of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) decongestion exercise.

Speaking to a section of the media at the party's headquarters on Monday, Mr. Mac Manu said one of the aims of the party as stipulated in article 2, section 12 of its constitution is "to create a climate in which private enterprise will thrive, and citizens of foreigners alike may invest without fear and without unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions and impediments, in order to create wealth and prosperity for the citizens and people of this country So why can we be anti-business."

He said the NPP government is trying to solve the grave problem of massive unemployment and to provide for all, who are capable, the opportunity and means of earning a living, either by way of self-employment or as employees in various undertakings.

Mr. Mac Manu said even though the party wants to create a climate in which private enterprise will thrive, the party also considers the health of the people as its priority.

"Though we want people to work, our constitution says we give priority attention to the health needs of the nation in order to establish and maintain a decent, human, efficient system of public health which is easily accessible to the broad masses of the people."

He described the AMA as an authority on its own, but "we are always in consultation with them to ensure that the interest of all is assured".

Mr. Adjiri Blankson, the Chief Executive of AMA, Mac Manu said is a member of the ruling party and "very instrumental in the activities of the party, so he will be the last to do things that will affect us [negatively]".

At the press conference were the AMA boss, Mr. Adjiri Blankson, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Shekhi I.C Quaye and other executives of the party.

The party had earlier taken the media on a tour of the hawkers market at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Tema Station.

At the Tema Station, most of the gutters were choked, with the environment engulfed in filth. One noticeable thing was that the place had a bad smell.

"If we want to make this place look good, some action must be taken, but some of you (media) will say I have done the wrong thing", the AMA boss said.

Though he commended the media for their work, he said he was also not happy with some of the reports on activities of the assembly, especially in relation to the decongestion exercise.

At the Odorna Market around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle most of the traders had abandoned their stores. Though the AMA has created the market for the hawkers, they prefer to sell on the streets and pavements.

Mr. Adjiri Blankson said those who do not use their stores, will forfeit them. "We will re-allocate the stores to people who need them", he said.

The tour ended with the party executives interacting with the market women.