Accra, Ghana//-The Government of Ghana today extended the deadline for its domestic debt exchange (DDE) programme to January 31 to enable it deepen stakeholder engagement on the controversial policy which is crucial for the Ghana-IMF programme.
A tweet by the Ministry of Finance on Monday (today) explained that, the extension is to rally consensus towards a successful implementation of the programme. This is more than the third time that the programme deadline has been extended.
“Building consensus is key to a successful economic recovery for Ghana.
“Pending further stakeholder engagement with institutional and individual investors, recently invited to join the debt exchange programme, government is extending the expiration of the DDE to Jan 31, 2023”, the tweet said.
However reacting to the extension, convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum, Senyo Hosi, said the extension of the deadline would enhance better engagement on the matter.
He described the extension as a ‘good move’. However noted the proposals by his outfit must be factored in future deliberations on the matter, Mr Hosi told Joy FM’s midday news,
“But the issues are pretty clear. We have not just come to the table just saying ‘no’. We have actually proposed alternatives that are viable for government.
“Government must look within. Because we as individuals and the general citizenry have taken a big share of the pie. We have been at the receiving end of the raw deal of governance every single time.
“We’re open to meet and we look forward to that”, he said.
The Minority in Parliament on the other hand has called for the complete suspension of the entire programme.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu told journalists at a press conference that the programme as currently structured would worsen the plight of Ghanaians, hence the need for the President to put it on hold and consult some more.
He sated: “We in the NDC, the Minority group call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately suspend the ongoing debt exchange programme. It is already failing”.
