The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has revealed its intention to file a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) regarding the government's refusal to pay accrued interest on outstanding principal payments.
This decision comes after a meeting between the forum and the Ministry of Finance, where the government rejected the demand for interest on the four principals.
Dr Adu Anane Antwi, the convener for the Pensioner Bondholders Forum, argued that if the principal amount remains unpaid, interest should be paid on it.
He stated, “We will need an arbiter, so we have suggested that we submit the matter to CHRAJ for CHRAJ to tell us whether we have the right to do that or not. We will do an official letter to the government on the demand for the interest on the delayed principal, and then we know the response of the government, but the government must put it in writing.”
Meanwhile, the pensioner bondholders have resumed picketing at the Ministry of Finance after the government failed to fulfil its promise of settling five outstanding coupons. Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare had requested the pensioners to temporarily halt their protest while the government actively seeks funds to meet its obligations.
Abena Osei Asare assured the pensioners that the government is not deliberately neglecting the payment of outstanding coupons. She explained that the delay is primarily due to the unavailability of funds and the ongoing economic crisis.
She said, “We don't intentionally stop them, sometimes it's difficult, it is the ability to pay, and so when it is not there, it becomes a challenge, but we also have to communicate that to you. So, for now, our focus should be on the five outstanding, and then we talk about how we will manage the principal payment.”
She expressed her understanding of the pensioners' frustrations and acknowledged that the current situation, where coupons are ready for payment but the government is struggling to pay, is unprecedented.
She pleaded with the pensioners to engage in further discussions and find a way forward.