We have received our coupons – Dr Adu A. Antwi

Dr Adu A. Antwi, the Convener, Pensioner Bondholders Forum says the government has settled payments on matured coupons and principal of old bonds affected by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

He said government fully paid all coupons and principals maturing up to June 19, 2023 in August last year and February this year.

“Government made payment on all matured coupons and principals of old bonds. First payment was made in August last year and the second early this month”, he said.

During the State of the Nation address (2024 SONA) on Tuesday, February 27, President Akufo-Addo announced that the government has fulfilled its financial commitments by settling the last coupons owed to bondholders, amounting to GH¢5.8 billion.

The payment marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to address its financial obligations, particularly in the wake of a domestic debt exchange program initiated in 2023.

Reacting to the statement in an interview with RGG News, Dr. Antwi said the figure mentioned by the President in his address were payments made to bondholders in February.

He added that payments of coupons have been regular for some weeks now.

“We receive payments anytime our coupons are matured. It has been regular for the past few weeks. We hope it continues like that”, he said.

According to him, although individuals who did not exchange or tender in the bonds continue to receive their coupons and maturity values when they are due, same cannot be said for companies that did not tender the bonds.

“Companies that did not tender or exchange the old bonds for the new one are not being paid their coupons unlike we the individuals”, he stated.

He therefore called on government to engage these companies to resolve any hitches surrounding their payments.