Exercise patience, we’ll settle your coupons – Abena Osei-Asare pleads with Pensioner Bondholders

A Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, has appealed to Pensioner Bondholders to exercise restraint as the government secures the necessary resources to settle their unpaid matured coupons.

According to her, the government is not intentionally neglecting the payment of outstanding coupons. Instead, the delay is caused by the unavailability of funds and the economic challenges in recent times.

“We don’t intentionally stop them. Sometimes it’s difficult, it is the ability to pay, and so when it is not there, it becomes a challenge, but we also have to communicate that to you. So, for now, our focus should be on the five outstanding, and then we will talk about how we will manage the principal payment.

“I sincerely appreciate where you are coming from. This has never happened when coupons are ready for payment and the government is struggling to pay, but currently, we all know the circumstances we find ourselves in, so I will plead with you so let’s sit and clear, and then we will see the way forward,” she added.

Members of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum resumed their picketing at the Finance Ministry on Thursday, June 1, to demand the payment of their outstanding coupons and principals.

This was due to the government’s inability to pay outstanding coupons.

Earlier this month, the Pensioner Bondholders Forum suspended its picketing activities after reaching an agreement with the Ministry of Finance regarding their coupons.

However, the group alleges that the government has not honoured its obligations.

In view of the above, the Pensioner Bondholders Forum notified the police that they would resume picketing.

They plan to picket on Thursdays and Fridays of each week until the ministry fulfils its payment obligations, ensuring that coupons and principals are paid on time without any further delays.

The group expressed frustration at the government’s lack of response and refusal to engage with them, despite their numerous letters to the ministry.