DDEP: Individual bondholders resist inclusion; threaten legal action
Reports reaching norvanreports indicate that individual bondholders included in government’s Domestic Debt Restructuring Programme (DDEP) are mounting stiff opposition to their inclusion in the debt exchange programme.
Per deep throat sources, individual bondholders are planning to collectively take legal actions against government.
Individual bondholders argues that, the estimated GHS 1.9bn value of debt instruments (bonds) they hold is an insignificant amount to the government’s debt exchange programme which looks at restructuring some GHS 137bn in government bonds.
The demand by individual bondholders to be excluded from the debt exchange programme follows the exclusion of pension funds frim the debt exchange programme after labour unions threatened mass industrial strikes across the country.
Reacting to the new development, some economic experts are of the view that a formal engagement with individual bondholders prior to announcement of their inclusion to the debt exchange programme would have prevented their resistance against the debt programme and rather garnered high compliance with the debt exchange programme.
Individual bondholders to lose interest on bonds worth GHS 1.9bn
Finance Chief, Ken Ofori-Atta, has stated that the ‘Invitation to Exchange’ to individual bondholders under the Debt Exchange does not embed any principal haircut on eligible bonds worth GHS 1.9bn – the amended and restated debt exchange memorandum is anticipated to affect individual bonds amounting to GHS 1.9bn in face value.
According to him, it rather involves an exchange for new Government of Ghana bonds with a coupon that steps up to rates ranging from 9.15% to 10.65% (depending on the specific series of new bonds) as soon as 2025 and longer average maturity.
In an Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum to individual bondholders, Mr. Ofori-Atta said this domestic debt exchange is part of a more comprehensive agenda to restore debt and financial sustainability.
He however said the external debt restructuring parameters will be presented in due course.
“The successful completion of this domestic debt exchange is a critical component of both the debt reduction programme and the International Monetary Fund programme discussions; it will contribute to unlocking the support of the international community and will allow Ghana to reach debt targets agreed with the IMF. We need the full participation of all bondholders in this transaction. Anything less will not make us eligible for assistance. There can be no exception”, he said.
The Finance Chief further said contingency plans have been prepared with applicable regulators to assist certain sectors of the economy (including the financial sector) after its participation in the exchange, to minimise negative spill-overs and safeguard the domestic economy including the establishment of a financial stability fund to provide a backstop for liquidity.
The alternative to the debt exchange, he mentioned, would be a far worse economic crisis, with protracted closure from international markets including imported goods and services and further domestic economic instability both for the real economy and the financial sector, adding, “It would also mean depleted fiscal resources to support the neediest.”
“We are acutely aware of the upfront cost of this transaction, and other aspects of our adjustment programme, to participating holders. To that end we are carving out from this exchange treasury bills (up to one-year maturity) typically held by retail investors”, he continued.
“Further, there is also a positive trade-off for debtholders as a group: this transaction, though resulting in reduced coupon payments from 2023, will make a positive contribution to a safer and brighter future for all Ghanaians”, he added.
This invitation is to exchange certain domestic notes and bonds of the Republic of Ghana, E.S.L.A. Plc, and Daakye Trust Plc (collectively, the “Eligible Bonds”) for new bonds of the Republic of Ghana.
