There’s No Reason For You To Be Here – Ofori-Atta Tells Protesting Pensioners

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has expressed surprise at the continuous picketing by Pensioner Bondholders despite assurances from his ministry.

According to the sector minister, the voluntary exercise has concluded, and the government has pledged to honour its obligations to bondholders, including retirees who voluntarily opted not to participate in the programme.

“Really, there is no reason for us to be sitting here because that assurance has been given on paper. I want to know what it is that you are afraid of or that you think will not happen.

“My issue is that now you have very little of the old bonds existing. This means that, in the event of a crisis, your ability to trade your papers is diminished. But that is the choice you made,” he indicated.

But the aggrieved pensioners insisted that the sector minister make it formal and that their bonds are exempted from the debt restructuring.

The bondholders have been picketing at the Finance Ministry since Monday, February 6, demanding a total exemption from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister is billed to appear before Parliament on Thursday to brief MPs on the debt exchange programme, which now has more than 80% participation.