Kade (E/R), Jan 21, GNA - The government has not abandoned the divestiture of the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Limited (GCDL) at Akwatia and that it is looking for the right investor.

This assurance was given by both the Member of Parliament for the Akwatia constituency, Mr. K.A. Kissi and the Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, Mr. Yaw Yiadom-Boakye, at a People's Assembly at Kade. They explained that Mard, an American Company that won an earlier bid, could not honour its financial obligation of paying the bid after the government had waited for eight months.

Questioners had expressed the concern that any further delay in divesting GCD could collapse the company.

Mr. Yiadom-Boakye said the Police had investigated the disappearance of 34 spraying machines meant for the cocoa spraying exercise and the Attorney General's office would direct the police as what action to be taken.

He was hopeful that those responsible for the loss would be held accountable.

The Member of Parliament for Kade, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, said the government last month released 340 million cedis out of the expected 600 million cedis for the continuation of work on the re-housing of the Kade Secondary-Technical School. He expressed the hope the school would move to the new site before the end of this year.

Mr. Yiadom-Boakye enumerated projects undertaken with HIPC fund, Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) and the Common Fund and said if previous governments had pursued development programmes with vigour, dedication and honesty as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is doing, Ghana would have far advanced in development.

Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, the Eastern Regional Minister, said the government had not relented on its programme of good governance, infrastructure development and provision of social services such as health and education.

On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Osafo-Mensah said it was the only means of giving the people affordable health care and it should be embraced by all.

Nana Ohene Ntow, Spokesman on Finance and Economic Planning, said the prudent economic policy pursued by the government is transforming the national economy.

He said as at the end of last year 1.14 trillion cedis that would have been used to pay the country's debt is to be used for development, thanks to the HIPC initiative.