Audio By Carbonatix
Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu warns that involving bondholders without further consultations could wipe out the middle class and will spell doom for the country.
“What we talking about is that many of these bondholders also belong to the middle class and that’s where the major worry is.
"If we are wiping away the middle class that could be dangerous, so we need to have some further dialogue on this. I’m not sure government takes interest and joy in suppressing anyone no government will have any joy in doing that.
"So government thinks that this is the best way forward, however even if it is, we need to engage, reflect and then move on and that will encourage some people who have some doubt to better appreciate where we are.”
This was his response to a group of individual bondholders led by convener, Senyo Hosi and private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu when they presented a petition to him and the ranking member of Parliament's Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament House on Friday, to convey their grievances to the Executive.
Major stakeholders including economists have urged government to halt the plan and exempt them from signing on to the restructuring deal which expires on Monday.
But government says the aim of the program is to make the nation’s debts sustainable as a key component of securing an IMF deal.
Ranking on the Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson disagrees that government must proceed with individual bondholders.
In the meeting with the individual bondholders, he called on the Finance Minister to immediately halt their inclusion for further consultations.
In the interim, bondholders wait with bated breath on the next step government will take.
But in all this, the Majority Leader fears progressing without caution would not only terminate the middle class but destroy the savings culture of the citizenry which has taken decades of painstaking work to build.
“Nothing can substitute for discussions, round table discussions and engagements wherever we find ourselves in. I think it’s important that we go back to the drawing table to have engagements with the major stakeholders.
"As he said, all of us are in it. And if we don’t manage well, we’ve gone through this before, way back some 25, 30 years ago and repositioning was a major, major difficulty.
"Today many people are coming on board and if this thing should happen, how do we build confidence and trust and reconstruct a new savings culture?” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Payments, identity, regulation and infrastructure key to Africa’s digital integration – Vice President
4 minutes -
“Northern Ghana not a punishment ground” — Bernard Mornah leads calls for Ocloo’s resignation over posting remarks
8 minutes -
China calls for Strait to be reopened ‘as soon as possible’ in Iran talks
10 minutes -
KNUST launches injury prevention centre to boost research, policy action
10 minutes -
Oil prices drop after reports of deal to end Iran war
10 minutes -
Tennis: Ghana faces demotion from Davis Cup and Billie Jean Cup over funding crisis
25 minutes -
3i Africa Summit: Ghana to pilot continental digital trade corridor with African partners
26 minutes -
Minority leader accuses EOCO of ‘harassment’ in re-arrest of Buffer stock Ex-CEO, wife
50 minutes -
Gbankor Bricks and tiles funds solar-powered borehole for Paali community
58 minutes -
Callistus Mahama warns against early succession talks, urges discipline and focus on governance
1 hour -
Inherited legal education system not fit for purpose — Ansa-Asare
1 hour -
FOX Sports seeking a ‘Chief World Cup Watcher’ for $50,000
1 hour -
Miracles Aboagye urges Linda Ocloo to step down over controversial Northern posting comment
1 hour -
Outdoor advertisers petition gov’t to halt median sign demolitions
2 hours -
Roads Ministry to recover US$30 million from Indian contractor JMC over abandoned project
2 hours