A number of listeners of Joy FM have asked government to stay away from using their pension funds in the pending alternative domestic debt restructuring programme.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Thursday, a caller who identified himself as Emmanuel questioned the moral authority the government has to use pension funds.

“I disagree, they shouldn’t touch our money. Sincerely speaking they should not touch our funds.”

An agitated Emmanuel subsequently quizzed “what are they doing? What cost are they cutting?”, in reference to government's plea with the populace to burden share the state's present economic challenges.

Many economic analysts and CSOs, as well a diplomat have chastised the government to take steps to cut cost, including reducing the size of government. Many others like Emmanuel, have accused the government of failing to heed the good counsel to reduce its expenditure.

Caller after caller on the programme Thursday disagreed with the government's new proposal to include pension funds in its attempt at restructuring its domestic debts.

Anna, a pensioner from Dansoman said, “The board of trustees should really scrutinize what the Finance Minister says before they enter into any deal with him because he is not a trustworthy person.”

“You who want equity must come with clean hands. So if you really want people to help to solve it, then you should lead but they are not leading by example.” Benjamin from Kumasi added.

The Finance Minister on Friday urged the Board of Trustees of Pensions Funds to allow for pension funds to be included in government’s new proposed debt restructuring offer.

According to the minister, the new proposal is aimed at alleviating the cash constraints on the government in the coming years, while fully compensating the pension funds holders for the value of their current holdings.

He explained in a press release that the new offer has been “crafted to facilitate the execution of the MoU, addressing the Government financial needs while maintaining the value of the pension funds.”