The former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo has returned to the Ministry of Finance to join pensioner bondholders picketing for total exclusion from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
The former Chief Justice became a bondholder for the first time on Friday, eliciting a range of reactions from Ghanaians and NPP supporters.
She threatened to sue the government if their pension funds were included in the debt exchange program.
In a tweet, NPP leader Gabby Otchere-Darko stated that he does not understand the “fuss” made by former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo over the inclusion of pensioners in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
“Why picket over an offer that you have the liberty not to accept?” he quizzed.
The government announced on Tuesday, February 14, that the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) will officially close on Friday, February 10, 2023, with over 80% participation of eligible bonds.
This was announced in a statement issued by the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
The government in the statement thanked the people of Ghana for their “forbearance and support throughout these very difficult times”.
It also assured bondholders who did not participate in the program that it would honour its financial obligations to them.
“We would like to emphasize that all Individual bondholders, particularly our Senior Citizens, can be confident that their coupon payments and maturing principals, like all Government bonds, will be honoured in accordance with the Government’s fiscal commitments.”
The government has proposed a 15% coupon rate, but retirees have stated that they will not accept any haircuts on their investments because the proceeds from these investments are critical to their livelihoods.
