Debt Exchange: Minority Leader Dr Ato Forson denies claims programme was approved by Parliament

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has denied claims that parliament approved the controversial Domestic Debt Exchange programme.

According to Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP, during the presentation of the 2023 budget, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta indicated that the House will be briefed when the fine details of the programme have been concluded.

Speaking during the minister’s briefing to parliament on Thursday, February 16, 2023, Dr Ato Forson in reaction to assertions by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, that the policy had undergone parliamentary approval said that was not the case.

“Mr Speaker, I heard the deputy Majority leader say that parliament has approved the debt restructuring programme, Mr Speaker that is a palpable lie. I have with me the budget statement and economic policy of the government and I’ll refer you to page 71, paragraph 278, it goes on to say that details of the debt exchange programme will be announced soon to the public and the investor community after the necessary engagement with the relevant stakeholders,” he explained.

Ato Forson further intimated that since the beginning of the domestic debt exchange programme, parliament has not been consulted, briefed or engaged on it.

Source: TNR