Finance
Domestic Debt exchange: deadline extended, terms amended

Government has announced a further extension of its Domestic Debt Exchange expiration date to January 16, 2023.
The terms of the Domestic Debt Exchange have also been amended.
“The Government today announces its decision to extend the Expiration Date of the Invitation from Friday, December 30, 2022, at 4 pm (GMT) to Monday, January 16, 2023, at 4 pm, a statement from Finance Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, the Settlement Date for the Invitation is now expected to occur on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, or as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than the Longstop Date which is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, unless further extended by government pursuant to the Invitation.
It explained that the Announcement Date is now expected to occur on or about January 17, 2023.
In addition to the foregoing extensions, government also announced modifications to the Invitation to Exchange.
- Offering accrued and unpaid interest on Eligible Bonds, and a cash tender fee payment to holders of Eligible Bonds maturing in 2023;
- Increasing the New Bonds offered by adding eight new instruments to the composition of the New Bonds, for a total of 12 New Bonds, one maturing each year starting January 2027 and ending January 2038;
- Modifying the Exchange Consideration Ratios for each New Bond. The Exchange Consideration Ratio applicable to Eligible Bonds maturing in 2023 will be different than for other Eligible Bonds;
- Setting a non-binding target minimum level of overall participation of 80% of aggregate principal amount outstanding of Eligible Bonds; and
- Expanding the type of investors that can participate in the Exchange to now include Individual Investors.
According to the Finance Ministry, these modifications will be set forth fully in an Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum which is expected to be published during the week of December 26, 2022.
It explained that conforming changes including adding and modifying defined terms in respect of the above amendments and modifications to cure ambiguity, omission, defect, error or inconsistency may be included in the Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum.
As part of its efforts to address the country’s ongoing economic crisis, on December 5, 2022, government launched a Domestic Debt Exchange.
Pursuant to this, it invited certain holders of approximately ¢137.3 billion of the principal amount outstanding of certain of our domestic notes and bonds issued by the Government, E.S.L.A. Plc or Daakye Trust Plc to exchange their Eligible Bonds for a package of new bonds to be issued by the government.
“The terms and conditions of the Invitation are described in an exchange memorandum available at https://projects.morrowsodali.com/ghanadde.
Capitalised terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Exchange Memorandum.
Government subsequently announced an extension of the Expiration Date to Friday, December 30, 2022, and the Settlement Date to Friday, January 6, 2023.
As set forth in the Exchange Memorandum, the Government said it “reserves the right in its sole discretion to extend the timetable for the Invitation at any time and to make amendments to the Invitation at any time.
“Any Eligible Holders whose Eligible Bonds are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominees must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Invitation, as such entities may establish an earlier deadline to receive instructions to tender Eligible Bonds,” the Finance Ministry said.
It further stated that “In making this decision to extend and the modifications described herein, the Government considered feedback from the financial sector in relation to the need to secure internal approvals.
“Further, this extension affords the Government of Ghana the opportunity to consider suggestions made by all stakeholders with the aim of adjusting certain measures acceptable within the constraints of the Government’s Debt Sustainability Analysis.”
- National honours conferred on COVID-19, ITLOS champions – 15 March 2023
- Misinformation undermining democracy, eroding gains in Ghana – 14 March 2023
- Dr Akoto: With right investment in agric, Ghana will not need IMF – 14 March 2023
Finance
Ofori-Atta appeals to Parliament to approve revenue measures

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has informed parliament of his intention to present necessary fiscal adjustments to the house in august after the debt operation is completed.
Outstanding revenue mobilisation bills
Already, he said the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Excise Duty & Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bills as well as the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, are outstanding in Parliament.
According to him, the consideration and approval of fiscal measures by Parliament are critical for recovery from the current economic crisis.
Facilitating IMF Board approval
The Minister therefore entreated Parliament to prioritise the approval of the outstanding revenue mobilisation bills to facilitate the Board Approval for International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme staff level agreement by the end of March, 2023.
“We are still counting on you for the passage of all the outstanding revenue Bills which are necessary for effective Budget Implementation as well as boosting our efforts at increasing our Tax-to-GDP from less than 13% to the sub-Saharan average of 18,” he stated.
Expected impact of IMF Board approval
He is confident IMF Board approval will restore macro-economic stability, ensure debt sustainability as well as provide critical social protection for the benefit of Ghanaians.
Factors that impacted economy negatively
COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine war, soaring energy and food prices, higher interest rates, a strong dollar and a global slowdown negatively affected the economy.
Ghana seeking $3 billion loan
Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies and reforms to be supported by a new three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of about $3 billion.
But, the IMF has made it clear that the Board approval of the deal is contingent on a successful debt exchange programme.
Broader govt response strategy
Addressing Parliament on the ongoing debt restructuring efforts, Ofori-Atta explained that debt operations are a composite part of a broader government response strategy for addressing the current challenges.
While being optimistic about IMF programme to boost confidence in the economy, he emphasized that complementing it with enhanced domestic mobilisation efforts is critical.
4 out of 5 agreed Prior Actions in the Staff Level Agreement
The Finance Minister averred that the passage of the Bills will enable government to complete four out of five agreed Prior Actions in the Staff Level Agreement.
Agreed Prior Actions already implemented
He noted that tariff adjustment by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Publication of the Auditor-General’s Report on COVID-19 Spending, and Onboarding of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and Road Fund on the Ghana integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS) have all been completed.
International and domestic bond markets are shut
Ofori-Atta reminded the legislators that the international and domestic bond markets are shut for the financing of government’s programmes, forcing government to rely on the Treasury Bills and concessional loans as the primary sources of financing for the 2023 fiscal year.
Therefore, he called on Parliament to support the government’s financing requests to ensure a smooth recovery from the economic challenges.
He thanked everyone who tendered and supported the Domestic Debt Exchange programme saying “It is a truly remarkable act of sacrifice in our nation’s history. We thank those who heeded our clarion call and took the selfless, patriotic decision to participate. Your names and deeds will never be forgotten. Your timely support is deeply appreciated,”.
He is confident that the programme government has set out for this year, supported by Parliament, will get Ghana out of the economic crisis that has hit the economy since Covid-19.
Inflation interest and exchange rates to stabilise
He hopes for stability in the exchange rates, inflation and interest rates, bringing businesses and families some respite.
Suspension of payments of interest on foreign debt
Government also announced a suspension of all debt service payments for certain categories of external debt, pending an orderly restructuring.
International bondholders
Ofori-Atta revealed that Ghana initiated discussions with representatives of international bondholders and their Advisors.
According to him, substantive discussions are due to start with them in the weeks to come.
G-20 Debt Treatment initiative
Ghana officially asked its bilateral creditors for a Debt Treatment initiative under the G-20 Common framework.
Negotiations with commercial creditors underway
The Finance minister said the process of negotiations have started in good faith with commercial creditors.
Ofori-Atta stated that two preliminary discussions and exchange of information have started on a good footing with representative committees and advisors.
Creditor Committee to assess Ghana’s request
According to him, the members have indicated their commitment to establish a Creditor Committee to assess Ghana’s request for debt treatment under the Common Framework by end February, 2023.
- National honours conferred on COVID-19, ITLOS champions – 15 March 2023
- Misinformation undermining democracy, eroding gains in Ghana – 14 March 2023
- Dr Akoto: With right investment in agric, Ghana will not need IMF – 14 March 2023
Finance
IMF assigns resident financial supervision adviser to BoG

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has assigned a Resident financial sector supervision adviser to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to provide technical assistance and help build the capacity of the banking supervision function.
The appointment was at the request of Bank of Ghana with full funding from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Mr. Leonard Chumo, the Resident Adviser, started his assignment at the Bank of Ghana on February 6, 2023, and was expected to stay for three years.
A statement issued by BoG in Accra said the Adviser’s placement was a continuation of cooperation in this area between the Bank, the IMF and SECO, that started as early as in 2015 and had already seen the assignment of a previous Adviser until 2018.
It said achievements from the past collaborative efforts include the passage of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), the development and issuance of the Corporate Governance Directive 2018, and the Capital Requirement Directive 2018.
Mr Chumo, brings first-hand knowledge of supervisory work from leading central banks as well as previous technical assistance experience in the Western Africa region.
The statement said among others, he would support the implementation of Pillar two and three of the Basel II/ III capital frameworks, as well as strengthen the Risk-Based Supervisory framework at the Bank of Ghana.
The Bank commended the management of SECO for the continued funding of Long-Term Technical Experts from the IMF to the Bank.
- National honours conferred on COVID-19, ITLOS champions – 15 March 2023
- Misinformation undermining democracy, eroding gains in Ghana – 14 March 2023
- Dr Akoto: With right investment in agric, Ghana will not need IMF – 14 March 2023
Finance
Govt pledges to pay coupons, principals on all maturing bonds

Government has assured all bondholders, including those who self-exempted from the voluntary Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) that it will honour all coupon payments and maturing principals when due.
Payment of coupons and principal for bonds that matured since February 6 to date (herein referred to as ‘Due Bonds’ remain outstanding.
Bondholders want government to make payments not later than Friday, February 17, 2023.
A statement issued by the Finance Ministry indicates that more than 80% bondholders participated in its $137 billion DDEP.
“The DDEP closed on Friday February 10, 2023, with over 80% participation of eligible bonds,” it said.
The Finance Ministry pledged to honour all coupon payments and maturing principals in addition to commitments to further streamline Government’s expenditures.
“We would like to stress that, all Individual bondholders, especially our Senior Citizens, should rest assured that their coupon payments and maturing principals, like all Government bonds, will be honoured in line with Government’s Fiscal commitments.
“The Government would like to reassure all individual bondholders who elected not to participate that your coupon payments and maturing principals, like all Government bonds, will be honoured in line with Government fiscal commitments,” it added.
Government reiterated that the DDEP had been executed to help protect the economy and enhance Ghana’s capacity to service its public debts effectively, as its debt had become unsustainable.
The alternative for not executing the DDEP would have brought grave disorder in the servicing of our national debt and exacerbated the current economic crisis.
It expressed gratitude to bondholders for the overwhelming participation, adding that their support and contributions had gotten Ghana much closer to securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
There are fears that those who opt against signing up are not guaranteed market liquidity for the old bonds, because they are likely to become less tradeable on the secondary market compared with the new bonds.
On the other hand, individuals who sign up for the new bonds will have more certainty even in a changing economic landscape.
- National honours conferred on COVID-19, ITLOS champions – 15 March 2023
- Misinformation undermining democracy, eroding gains in Ghana – 14 March 2023
- Dr Akoto: With right investment in agric, Ghana will not need IMF – 14 March 2023
-
News2 days ago
Misinformation undermining democracy, eroding gains in Ghana
-
News21 hours ago
National honours conferred on COVID-19, ITLOS champions
-
News7 days ago
HOGF offers Oduman free health screening, donates to polyclinic
-
Health3 days ago
Measles, Polio and other childhood vaccines dispatched to regions
-
News3 days ago
NIA to issue numbers to babies at 6 weeks to end age falsification
-
News3 days ago
Police nab 6 in connection with killing of soldier in Ashaiman
-
News6 days ago
288,800 apply for YouStart to create one million jobs in 3 years
-
News3 days ago
Education Minister to close down non-performing schools