Prudent Diversification of Domestic Debt Instruments Key to Risk Management – Prof. John Gatsi
Economist and Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, Professor John Gatsi, has emphasized the need for a prudent and gradual diversification of Ghana’s domestic debt instruments as a key strategy for effective risk management.
According to Prof. Gatsi, Ghana’s return to the international capital market will likely not materialize until after 2027, contingent on improvements in fiscal prudence and credit ratings.
However, he clarified that this limitation does not extend to the domestic capital market, which encompasses both short-term and long-term debt instruments.
“Issuance of long-term government instruments such as government bonds demands prudence, cautious financial risk management, and maintaining the creditworthiness of the issuer,” he stated.
“There are many practical reasons to gradually open to longer-term government instruments in the domestic debt market instead of relying on treasury bills, which pose significant risks to the economy by exerting pressure on the exchange rate and inflation,” he added.
Prof. Gatsi noted that institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance firms, and banks, require sustainable investment avenues. He warned that an overreliance on treasury bills, beyond actual requirements, could undermine market confidence and pose greater risks to the economy.
“Treasury bills serve as a benchmark rate, but the policy rate is a more sensitive benchmark for lending rates. Hence, there is a need to accommodate long-term instruments gradually to mitigate the risk associated with the lack of diversification in domestic debt instruments,” he explained.
He further advised the government to adopt a conservative, risk-averse approach and demonstrate a commitment to deepening market confidence by implementing measures that enhance fiscal prudence.
“It is good risk management to encourage the government to diversify domestic debt instruments cautiously while maintaining a prudent stance in managing the fiscal situation,” he further remarked.
