The Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum, Senyo Hosi, has stated that the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Association of Banks on the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) affirms their position for individuals to be completely exempted.
In a statement, Mr Hosi hailed the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Association of Banks, stating that with the participation of the banks, the government is likely to meet its 80 percent target.
The government on Monday announced that it had revised some terms of its Domestic Debt Exchange Programme following discussions with the Ghana Association of Banks.
Hitherto, the new bonds under the programs were not to accrue any interest until 2024, starting at 0% coupon in 2023 which steps up to 5% in 2024 and 10% from 2025.
But after the engagements between the bankers and the Ministry of Finance, bondholders will now enjoy a 5% coupon in 2023.
This also translates into an effective coupon rate of 9% according to a joint press release by the Finance Ministry and Ghana Association of Banks.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Hosi urged the government to stay focused on its responsibility to protect its citizens and for that matter, absolutely exempt Individual Bondholders, including individuals who hold eligible bonds under the DDE through Collective Investment Schemes from its DDE programme.
“We have taken note of the joint press release by the Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) and the Ghana Association of Banks (“GAB”) dated 23rd January 2023. We congratulate both parties for reaching a deal towards the reengineering of our economy.
“We observe with delight the government’s various incentives provided to the banks which among others include the Bank of Ghana’s forbearances and favourable revisions to the prudential rules including reductions in the Capital Adequacy Ratio and the Cash Reserve Requirements. To make it much more functional, the government will be providing a financial stability fund to support the viability of the banks. With the banks onboarding the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, the government is set to reach its 80% target.”
“This development reaffirms the need for government to exclude Individual Bondholders, including individuals and Collective Investment Schemes (CIS), who account for less than 11% of the eligible bonds. Unlike the banks and other institutions that are set to benefit from various regulatory incentives, Individual Bondholders have no fallback nor incentives and will be condemned to shackled penury.
“We urge the government to stay focused on its responsibility to protect its citizens and for that matter, absolutely exempt Individual Bondholders, including individuals who hold eligible bonds under the DDE through Collective Investment Schemes from its DDE programme. We maintain that cutting government expenditure and optimizing revenue is the sure winner for Ghana in these difficult times.”
“Proverbs 14:31 says “whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours the Lord”. May our government be honoured.
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