The Christian Council of Ghana has charged government to suspend the ongoing debt exchange programme due to identified lapses.
According to the religious body, it has had discussions with some stakeholders on Ghana’s economy and it is convinced that the whole process needs to be suspended until broader consultations have been made.
“We have identified lapses in the debt restructuring programme, a major one being lack of consultation with affected individuals and institutions,” the Council observed in a statement on Thursday, January 19, 2023.
As an advocacy group that speaks for the vulnerable in the society, the Council said it has examined the concerns of the Individual Bond Holders Association of Ghana, the Pensioner Bondholders Forum, church members and the general public.
The Finance Minister on Tuesday extended, for the third time, the deadline for individual bondholders to sign on to the programme.
But the Council’s statement, signed by Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y Mante and Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose Chairman and General Secretary respectively, insists the January 31 deadline published by the government, even before engaging stakeholders, would affect the acceptability of the proposed programme.
Read also: Govt extends deadline for debt exchange programme for the third time to January 31
The Christian Council also took into consideration the current economic hardships in the country and the agitations among the general public in its advice to government.
“The Council believes that thorough engagements with stakeholders would help the government to appreciate the concerns of the Ghanaian people and put measures in place to address some of the challenges of the program.”
Meanwhile, the media have been admonished by the Christian Council to be diligent with reportage on the debt restructuring program and speak to professionals on the matter to avoid false information that would further heighten the already situation of fear and panic in the country.
“The leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana will continue to pray for the managers of our economy, especially the finance minister, for God’s wisdom and direction in this matter, and we urge all churches to do same.
“We strongly believe that God will see us through this difficult situation. Let us keep our hopes alive.”
Read also: Suspend Debt Exchange immediately – Minority tells Akufo-Addo