The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has kicked against the government’s debt exchange programme, an official statement has said.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Monday (5 December) launched the debt exchange programme in line with the government’s quest to restructure debt and put the economy back on track.
But GMA argues the programme will seriously affect pension funds and also affect health delivery in the country.
In a statement issued by GMA on Tuesday (6 December), the GMA called on the government to exempt pensions and other related funds in the programme.
“The Ghana Medical Association is troubled and alarmed by the negative impact that the Debt Exchange Programme announced by the Finance Minister will have on workers’ pension in particular and health care delivery in the country.
“The GMA is also concerned about the negative effect of the debt exchange programme on Private Health facilities, private health insurance and mutual schemes that have invested heavily with Government of Ghana bonds. This we believe will impact negatively on patient care, medication supply and claims management.”
“We, therefore, demand as a matter of urgency that government takes immediate steps to completely exempt pensions and other related funds (including the GMA) Fund who have investments in Government of Ghana instruments).and that no haircuts should affect the principal and interests of such investment,” the statement added.
Below is the full statement:
Fred Dzakpata
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