The Minister for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe has revealed government plans to put 17 state-owned enterprises on divestiture to save the state from spending on them.

According to him, these are defunct entities that the country keeps spending on, and it will be prudent they are let off government’s expenditure.

He was speaking to the press at the Osu Castle after accounting for the stewardship of the Public Enterprises Secretariat since it was established.

“These are defunct assets that you would want to get rid of them so that you don’t continue to spend on them,” he said.

He further explained that some of the companies are however being considered by various ministries for government’s flagship projects.

“I have seen for example, the Trade Minister talk about interest in some of them for One District One Factory, which is very good because the aim is that they are defunct, assets are lying idle.

He added that the Agriculture Minister has expressed interest in using some of the companies listed for such disposal for the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.