Ghana: Analyst Raises Issues with Post Valentine Roadshow for GAT Bond  

Prof John Gatsi. renowned economist at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Accra, Ghana, February 4, 2019//-Analyst has raised issues with the decision of Ghana’s government to raise GHC2 billion from the international market with Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT) bond roadshow scheduled for 18th February, 2019.

This amounts to failure to raise the funds from private pension funds in Ghana,  economist and Professor at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), John Gatsi, said.

According to him, the signal from the roadshow would be captured by international investors in the coupon arrangement.

It also signals additional political risk for the Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT) bond whose creation faces some legal interpretation as some believe the government own GAT 100% and can only do so by Parliamentary approval.

He added: “It is also clear that per section 9(d) of ACT 930 it is prohibited to use borrowed funds to capitalize a bank in Ghana”.

Prof Gatsi continued: “Investors will like to know the balance sheet of these banks and other sensitive information to make sound investment decisions.

The question is since GAT has not yet invested in these banks who will deliver such documents to the international lenders and in what capacity?”

“Since the GAT arrangement means a three month extension of deadline, what happens if the post Valentine day GAT bond is undersubscribed? Will there be another extension of time?”

The government of Ghana in attempt to respond to a call to support local banks after refusing to do so finally set up a special purpose vehicle called GAT to invest in selected local banks with two important criteria- solvent and well managed.

Meaning the entire management of these banks meet the corporate governance requirements of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and are liquid. This effort which target capitalization of the local banks to be concluded in March 2019 is an extension of the deadline for the affected banks.

Prof Gatsi said: “If extension of time is now allowed and borrowing to capitalize is now allowed then, it should have been most appropriate to extend the time for these banks till the end of the second quarter of 2019 and allow them to raise their own bonds to capitalize without the temptation of takeover of these local banks through the GAT”.

The fundamental questions and consequences about the GAT will live with us irrespective of whether pension funds are borrowed or international bonds are issued”.

He therefore urged the government to explain why the failure to raise the funds from private pension funds in Ghana especially when this bond is to be issued with the backing of the sovereign guarantee of the Republic.

The lack of disclosures signal more risk, Prof Gatsi warned.

African Eye Report

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

*