Protect Pensioners By Exempting Our Funds  From Domestic Debt  Exchange Programme -Convenor Appeals To Akufo-Addo

A group of pensioners are passionately appealing for an exemption of the  government's bondholders from the domestic debt exchange programme.

The move, according to the group will enable them cater for their health needs.

Pensioner Bondholders Forum(PBF) made the passionate appeal at a press conference  on Wednesday January 11,2023 in Accra stating that refusal would turn retirees "burden" to others.

"We believe strongly that the basis for the exemption granted to pension funds holds good for the exemption of the investments of pensioners in government bonds from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme", a statement presented on the group's behalf by the convenor, Dr. Adu A. Antwi FCA, Esq.

He further explained that pensioners have regular source of income to support in terms of feeding, medications, paying medical bills and meeting other critical expenses.

" Most of us have made investment in Government of Ghana Securities with the expectation that the coupons will supplement the meagre pensions we receive through Tier one Pensions Scheme under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust(SSNIT)," he disclosed.

He said government bonds have been considered everywhere as gilt-edged and the safest securities to invest in and adding,  "as pensioners adding, we had the greater motivation to invest in these securities for both safety and liquidity considerations".

He lamented that their monthly pensions from SSNIT have been eroded by inflation to the extent that the coupons have become their core income while wasting for the payment of the principal amount upon maturity.