Government re-profiling external debt with G20 members
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has announced that government is planning to re-profile Ghana’s debt with the G20 developing countries rather than seek an outright cancelation.
The Paris Club members have already agreed to form a creditor committee to discuss debt restructuring and a possible debt cancelation for Ghana.
Government has come under some criticisms over its request to the Paris Club of International Creditors for debt cancelation.
Some analysts have argued that the request could encourage government to engage in reckless borrowing if it is granted.
Speaking on PM Express Business Edition Mr. Ofori-Atta disagreed stating that the Paris Club members are always open for debt re-
“Paris Club is not necessarily debt cancellation but re-profilling of the debt. Basically, we are now talking about the float to look at the interest rate and the maturity period so that we can ensure that it does not exert any undue influence on us”.
He explained that the issue about debt relief and debt cancellation is a second item that government would have to confront with relevant stakeholders.
Providing some more information, he pointed out that government is dealing with a twin challenge where it is engaging domestic creditors as well as international creditors.
“We have the debt domestic programme. The plan is to reduce our interest burdens and move towards 25 percent. You have your Paris Club and other countries programme which helps smoothen out the needs for payment”, he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta added that it is important to work at attaining a sustainable debt reduction both domestic and external to propel the country towards economic expansion.
“A combination of all of that leads us to the target so that’s what we are talking about. 55percent debt to GDP and 18 percent debt service over revenue”, he stressed.
